A powerful storm system unleashed heavy rain on the Southwest on Sunday, prompting evacuation orders in some areas and leading to threats of flash flooding through Monday, forecasters said.
The greatest threat was expected in parts of Arizona, southern Utah, southwest Colorado and western New Mexico, where much of the region was still recovering from devastating flooding just over a week ago.
The Weather Prediction Center said further heavy rain on already saturated ground could drain quickly, increasing the risk of further flash flooding, especially in steep terrain, slot canyons, washes and burn areas.
The city of Sedona, Arizona, issued evacuation orders for certain areas on Sunday. “Do not cross when there is running water on the road,” the city said in a social media post.
Chief Ed Mezulis of the Sedona Fire District said Sunday that his department and the city Police Department were working to evacuate several people due to rising waters. “Please stay on high ground,” he urged residents.
The National Weather Service office in Flagstaff, located about 30 miles north of Sedona, issued several flash flood warnings through Sunday afternoon.
Joshua Schank, a meteorologist with the Flagstaff office, said rain was expected through Sunday evening and would then taper off. The hardest hit areas are in Arizona’s Mogollon Rim region, southwest of Flagstaff, as well as Sedona, Prescott and Payson.
The Arizona Department of Transportation said several highways were closed due to flooding. Rivers are also expected to be submerged.
In southwest Colorado, the level of the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs is expected to reach a level not seen in more than a century.
A rare “particularly dangerous situation” warning was issued for Pagosa Springs, as the river was expected to crest at nearly 22 feet overnight Sunday into Monday morning, more than six feet higher than last month’s peak of 15.02 feet, and above the recorded maximum of 17.8 feet, set in 1911.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued Saturday evening for residents, businesses and visitors to Pagosa Springs, particularly along the San Juan River corridor and low-lying areas of the city.
The river was rising faster than expected, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said in a flood report Sunday.
“If you are in an evacuation zone, leave now,” the update warns. “Don’t wait for the river to peak.”
A list of flood impacts from the National Water Prediction Center included some homes inaccessible, water reaching home yards and water approaching some commercial complexes.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management announced an evacuation order for parts of Conejos County on Sunday due to expected flooding.
“Be prepared to be away from home for several days,” the agency said.
Authorities urged anyone in the affected area to leave immediately and move to higher ground, warning that floodwaters could rise quickly.
The Weather Prediction Center said three to five inches of rain were expected over parts of Arizona’s Mogollon Rim, particularly north and east of Phoenix.
In southern Utah and western New Mexico, up to three inches was possible.
The storm is expected to move east toward the Great Plains on Monday, with conditions gradually improving in parts of the Southwest afterward.
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher reports contributed.
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