Major flooding hits Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla triggered extensive flooding in southern Colorado from October 10 to 12, with Pagosa Springs among the most affected communities.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), up to 160 mm (6.3 inches) of precipitation fell at Wolf Creek Pass over 2.5 days, while Pagosa Springs Airport recorded about 79 mm (3.1 inches).

The rapid runoff caused the San Juan River to overflow its banks late on Saturday, October 11, inundating low-lying neighborhoods near Hermosa Street, San Juan Street east of Hot Springs Boulevard, and adjacent areas.

The river reached its third-highest crest on record since measurements began in 1911. Local authorities ordered mandatory evacuations Saturday evening and lifted them by Sunday morning, though a pre-evacuation notice remained in effect as conditions stayed unstable.

The Town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County both declared local disaster emergencies to mobilize resources.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis verbally activated the State Emergency Operations Plan, enabling statewide support. Officials reported roughly 90 homes damaged, at least two considered total losses, and several roads and bridges compromised. A boil-water advisory was issued for residents with private wells and septic systems along the San Juan River after a wastewater overflow and a water main break.

U.S. Highway 160 across Wolf Creek Pass was closed due to flooding and debris, and reopened late Saturday after inspection by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Lower sections of County Road 500 between mile marker 11 and Pagosa Junction remained closed because of persistent high water. Power outages were reported in several districts but service was restored within 24 hours.

In neighboring La Plata County, creeks near Vallecito Lake and the Los Pinos River overtopped levees, prompting the evacuation of nearly 400 homes. Multiple rural roads and culverts sustained erosion damage, and county officials issued their own emergency declaration.

Meteorologists linked the event to deep tropical moisture drawn northward from Priscilla’s remnants, which interacted with a mid-latitude low-pressure system over the Four Corners region. The NWS forecast called for an additional 25–50 mm (1–2 inches) of rain through October 14, with isolated totals up to 100 mm (4 inches) in mountain areas.

Flood watches for Archuleta and La Plata counties remain in effect until midnight Tuesday.

Hydrologists warned that saturated soils and elevated river levels could sustain flood risk for several days, while authorities urged residents to stay alert for new evacuation notices and to avoid crossing flooded roadways.