Hundreds of homes were evacuated over the weekend as flooding hit parts of southwestern Colorado, where torrential rain swelled rivers and creeks well beyond their banks. The hardest-hit areas were Pagosa Springs and Vallecito, where La Plata County officials say water levels along Vallecito and Grimes Creeks reached more than twice those seen during a typical spring runoff, damaging roads, bridges, and homes. Emergency crews are still assessing the destruction, and a community meeting for residents is set for Monday evening at the Vallecito Community Center.
Although evacuation orders have been lifted in downtown Pagosa Springs, officials warn that debris and standing water remain hazards. Forecasters say the danger isn’t over yet — the remnants of Tropical Storm Raymond are bringing more rain today and tomorrow, with flood watches and warnings still in effect across the San Juan Mountains and southern valleys. Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster to help support recovery efforts across the region.
