Four Corners Flooding Causes Widespread Damage

Historic flooding across the Four Corners region followed intense rain, sending the San Juan River to exceptional levels and flooding communities from Colorado through New Mexico and Utah. In the Farmington area, officials estimated about 25,000 homes were affected; residents were displaced, emergency crews conducted rescues, and a family stranded overnight on its roof was rescued by helicopter. Pagosa Springs estimated about $38 million in infrastructure repairs, with damaged roads, sewer lines and riverbanks; dozens of homes were affected, and U.S. Highway 160 remained narrowed to one lane. Flooding also damaged a wastewater treatment plant, releasing raw sewage into the San Juan River, and the Shiprock bridge was closed. Four Corners Monument and some other sites remained closed or restricted as damage assessments and recovery continued; officials urged caution amid hazards and the possibility of renewed flooding from saturated ground and more rain.