More than 20 trillion gallons of rain — equivalent to 10 months of flow over Niagara Falls — have fallen on the Four Corners states and Nevada over the past two weeks, according to former NOAA chief scientist Ryan Maue. The deluge came in two major storm rounds onto ground already saturated from an unusually wet fall, triggering severe flooding across the Southwest.
In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, retired schoolteacher Jack Ellis described the situation as "quite a disaster for everybody, especially in the low-lying areas." The San Juan River has flooded multiple times in recent weeks, leaving downtown closed to traffic while heavy equipment clears mud and debris. Walkways and bridges collapsed or were heavily damaged, and an eighth-generation resident, Gallegos, discovered her stepfather's home had been swept off its foundation, taking treasured family photographs with it.
In Durango, about 60 miles west, Willow Bradner's home was surrounded by two feet of mud after nearly five feet of water from an overflowing creek poured inside. Bradner said she and her husband were told they were not in a flood zone when they bought the property in 2024. "The majority of our savings is in this house," she said. "We have to dig deep, and we have to rebuild."
One person died in floodwaters and police suspect a second death was weather-related. In northwestern New Mexico, rivers crested lower than forecast, offering some relief to Shiprock and Farmington, though major rivers remain above flood stage. San Juan County spokesperson Devin Neeley said evacuation orders affecting at least 20,000 residents would likely be lifted soon as the focus shifts to recovery. Some communities in Colorado and Utah also had to arrange alternative Election Day voting plans due to the flooding.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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