Flash Floods Force Evacuations and Rescues in Arizona, Colorado
WHO:
ABC News - Sedona Fire District Chief Ed Mezulis said local fire and police officials were responding to multiple reports of people trapped in homes; crews from surrounding communities were coming to assist.
ABC News - Aaron Hardin, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Tucson, said, “We are getting two or three months of rain in a span of a couple of days.”
ABC News - The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office warned of a potentially catastrophic flood and said extensive damage was expected.
AZ Family - David S. McAtee, Yavapai County’s communications manager and public information officer, said homes had flooded with three to four inches of water.
AZ Family - Sedona Fire and Sedona Police were evaluating reports of people trapped in residences, according to Chief Ed Mezulis.
The Colorado Sun - Sheriff Mike Le Roux said more than 1,000 Archuleta County homes were under mandatory evacuation orders and that authorities could not confirm how many people remained in evacuation zones.
The Colorado Sun - Charles Balke, incident commander for the flood response, said saturated ground and runoff were increasing flood potential; he said evacuation was the priority because swift-water teams might struggle to reach people during intense rain.
The Colorado Sun - Gov. Jared Polis requested about $27 million in federal aid for infrastructure repairs after the earlier flooding.
WHAT:
ABC News - Heavy rain caused flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across parts of the Southwest. The National Weather Service estimated up to 4 inches of rain across the region and issued flood watches covering nearly all of Arizona and parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.
ABC News - Pagosa Springs officials warned of “catastrophic flooding” as the San Juan River was forecast to exceed 19 feet; the town said inbound highway traffic would be shut down.
ABC News - Sedona ordered residents in affected areas near Oak Creek to evacuate; Camp Verde also ordered evacuations near the Verde River, West Clear Creek and Wet Beaver Creek.
AZ Family - At least 19 homes along Oak Creek were evacuated, and firefighters called in additional crews for an “excessive amount” of water rescues.
AZ Family - Evacuations primarily affected Sedona’s east-side Zones 8, 9 and 10. Deputies assisted near Red Rock Crossing; crews also worked along Oak Creek, off Rimrock Drive and on a rescue operation on Perkinsville Road.
AZ Family - Sedona Red Rock High School was established as an evacuation shelter. Tlaquepaque closed, and its Day of the Dead celebration was canceled.
The Colorado Sun - The San Juan River forecast was revised to 21.84 feet, nearly 7 feet above its prior week’s peak of about 15 feet. The river was about 10.5 feet and above flood level when measured.
The Colorado Sun - Sewage began flowing into the San Juan River; public health officials warned people and pets to stay away. Incoming traffic into Pagosa Springs was shut down.
The Colorado Sun - Mandatory and pre-evacuation orders were issued in Rio Grande and Conejos counties. La Plata County closed all roads amid mudslides, debris and flooding.
The Colorado Sun - Wolf Creek ski area temporarily closed while Archuleta County evacuation orders remained in effect.
WHERE:
ABC News - Flooding and evacuations were reported in Sedona and Camp Verde, Arizona, and Pagosa Springs, Colorado, as well as Tucson, Arizona, where swift-water rescues were reported.
The Colorado Sun - Evacuations affected areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers; Rio Grande County communities included South Fork, Del Norte and Monte Vista, and Conejos County evacuations included Manassa and areas along the Conejos River Canyon.
The Colorado Sun - Pagosa Springs residents needing shelter were directed to Open Door Church, 110 Trinity Lane. Small animals could go to the Humane Society, 465 Cloman Boulevard; larger animals to the Archuleta County Fairgrounds.
WHEN:
ABC News - The latest soaking rains began Saturday evening; additional flooding was expected through Monday. The San Juan River was forecast to crest around 11:00 p.m. Sunday.
AZ Family - Oak Creek evacuations and rescues were underway Sunday morning; the article identifies the reported Slide Rock flooding as occurring on November 1, 2026.
The Colorado Sun - The updated San Juan River forecast was given Sunday afternoon, with the expected 21.84-foot level forecast for 11 p.m.
WHY:
ABC News - A series of Pacific storm systems brought heavy rain to already saturated areas.
The Colorado Sun - Forecasters warned that saturated ground had little capacity to absorb more rain, while runoff from smaller creeks and drainage areas was contributing to flooding and road closures.
HOW:
ABC News - Sedona officials directed evacuees to Sedona Red Rock High School and warned residents to avoid creek beds, washes and roads with rushing water.
The Colorado Sun - Authorities requested ground search-and-rescue teams, equipment from the Colorado National Guard, aircraft and specialized rescue teams; officials warned helicopters could be grounded and responders might be unable to reach people until conditions improved.
The Colorado Sun - Shelters were set up in South Fork and Del Norte, with an animal shelter site at the Ski Hi Complex in Monte Vista. Conejos County designated Knights of Columbus Hall in La Jara as an evacuation center and La Jara Arena for animals.
(UPDATED November 2, 2026 01:08 UTC)
Heavy rain is triggering dangerous floods and evacuations across Arizona and Colorado. In Sedona, crews are responding to reports of people trapped in homes. Pagosa Springs faces catastrophic flooding, with more than 1,000 homes under evacuation orders.