The skies were clearing across the U.S. Southwest, but flood risks remained high after powerful downpours forced hundreds to evacuate and kept swift-water rescue teams active. Officials stated that cleanup and repair efforts could take weeks following the destructive storms. One person died in floodwaters in Flagstaff, Arizona, and police suspect a second death in the area was weather-related.
The National Weather Service reported on Monday that isolated cloudbursts were still possible across the Four Corners region, where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet. This weather pattern is influenced by El Niño, a phenomenon stoked by warming Pacific waters that disrupts typical weather systems. Damage was widespread in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where the San Juan River reached 16.81 feet, one foot below the historic level that nearly destroyed the town in 1911.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative officials and state leaders focused on the operational response and the need for federal assistance to mitigate economic damage. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs issued a statewide emergency declaration, following earlier declarations for Navajo and Coconino counties. The governors of New Mexico and Colorado formally requested that President Donald Trump declare a major disaster to unlock federal funding for recovery efforts.
Local law enforcement and county officials stressed the ongoing danger and the logistical challenges of recovery. Archuleta County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Vicki Shaffer stated that search efforts would continue "just like last week, until we're sure that everybody who was trapped by the floodwaters has been rescued." In Pagosa Springs, officials reimposed evacuation orders after briefly lifting them, citing the continued instability of the river levels and the risk of further infrastructure failure.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices and local community leaders emphasized the human cost of the storms and the resilience of neighbors helping one another. In Durango, Colorado, resident Greg Ewing noted the strength of the community as hundreds of people used shovels and skid steers to remove mud from flooded neighborhoods. "That's the cool thing about Durango. It's a really strong community. Everyone comes together," Ewing said. Willow Bradner, a resident whose home flooded, described the rapid escalation from safety to evacuation in just 45 minutes.
Advocates for climate action pointed to the intensity of the rainfall, with meteorologist Jennifer Tate of the NWS Weather Prediction Center noting the system was "very broad" rather than localized. Ryan Benally, an assistant professor at Utah State University and a resident of the Navajo Nation, highlighted the compounding nature of the storms. "These storms have been one after another after another," Benally said. "It's compounding in ways people out here just weren't prepared for." He has been coordinating deliveries of essential supplies to shelters as access routes for remote residents washed out.
What the Numbers Show
Calculations by former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist Ryan Maue indicate that more than 20 trillion gallons of rain have fallen on the Four Corners states and Nevada over the past two weeks. In Arizona, Workman Creek near Phoenix recorded 7.3 inches of rain over two days. Flagstaff recorded 5.15 inches over two days, contributing to its wettest November 1 on record. The city typically experiences fewer than a handful of days per year with rainfall exceeding 1 inch.
In Colorado, the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs peaked at 16.81 feet on Sunday, approaching the 1911 historic crest level. The Colorado Department of Transportation reopened several closed bridges and roadways late Monday, though evacuation orders remained in place. In New Mexico, officials warned that the San Juan River could crest between Tuesday and Wednesday. Election logistics were also impacted, with Utah allowing electronic voting for residents in hard-hit San Juan County to ensure they could participate in the upcoming election.
The Bottom Line
The immediate priority for federal and state agencies is to assess the full extent of the damage and process disaster declarations to release emergency funds. With Election Day approaching, officials in Colorado and Utah have implemented alternative voting plans for evacuated or stranded residents to maintain democratic participation. The National Weather Service continues to monitor the region for isolated cloudbursts, while first responders remain engaged in search and rescue operations for potentially stranded individuals. Residents are advised to stay clear of floodwaters and drainage areas as cleanup efforts begin.