World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Flooding in Four Corners prompts rooftop rescues and evacuations
Severe flooding hit the Four Corners region of the US on Friday, affecting parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.
Rescue teams pulled people from rooftops and flooded homes, using boats, helicopters and amphibious vehicles in New Mexico.
About 600 households in Farmington were told to evacuate, while residents in other areas were urged to shelter in place because roads were unsafe.
Colorado deployed National Guard members and declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties; in Utah, Hurricane was cleaning up after floodwater reached about 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles.
Two months of heavy rain followed a summer drought, leaving ground in the region saturated and more prone to flooding.
Rivers were still rising in some areas, although officials in one county said water levels were beginning to recede; residents were told to stay put until travel was safe.
Severe flooding in the Four Corners region on Friday prompted water rescues, including rescues from rooftops, and evacuation orders in parts of Colorado and New Mexico.
About 600 households were told to evacuate in Farmington, New Mexico, as areas along the San Juan River were closed.
Rescue teams used boats, helicopters and amphibious vehicles, while rising water left roads impassable.
Flooding also affected Utah, where dozens of homes were swamped, and followed tornado damage in Arizona earlier in the week.
Colorado’s governor had declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties amid heavy rain and flooding.
- Who
- Residents in parts of Colorado and New Mexico were evacuated or rescued; emergency teams assisted.
- What
- Severe flooding prompted rescues, evacuations and road closures.
- When
- Friday, October 23, 2026; flooding in the region had occurred over several days.
- Where
- The Four Corners region, including parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
- Why
- Heavy rain followed two months of rainfall that ended a summer of drought; the recent rains increased the risk of flooding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tornadoes in Arizona damaged roofs and houses, brought down power lines and injured at least one person.
Hurricane, Utah, declared a state of emergency.
Flooding in the Four Corners region prompted rescues and evacuation orders in Colorado and New Mexico.
- Farmington evacuations
- About 600 households
- Colorado emergency declaration
- 11 counties
- Hurricane, Utah flooding
- About 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles affected
- Four Corners states
- Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah
3 sources
What people are saying
We’re picking people off of roofs and pulling people out of houses that have 3 or 4 feet (1-1.5 meters) of water in them, and there’s more water coming
This is serious. We’re still sending deputies as I speak to get people out of their homes right now. In fact, our sheriff is damn near going to lose his home today
We are kind of all hands on deck
At this point we’re saturated and can’t take too much more without flooding