Floods force evacuations and rooftop rescues

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders By Emma Hargreaves, BBC News Paragraph 1 The sudden onslaught of rain in the United States’ Four Corners region—where Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico meet—has turned a once‑quiet rural landscape into a nightmare of flash flooding. In the span of just 48 hours, rainfall totals exceeded 15 centimetres, overwhelming small rivers and drainage systems. Emergency services now report that dozens of people have been rescued from roofs and abandoned vehicles as water rose to waist‑high levels in town centres..

Local authorities have issued evacuation orders for several towns, including Cortez, Monticello and Durango, as floodwaters continue to surge. Paragraph 2 The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 08:32 GMT on Friday, citing heavy precipitation and saturated soils. By the time the warning was issued, water had already breached the banks of the San Juan River near Cortez, creating a 2‑metre wall of water that cut off the main road to the west..

Rescue teams from the Bureau of Land Management and local fire departments arrived within minutes, using motorised water scoops and ropes to pull residents from stranded cars. “We’ve seen people on rooftops holding onto railings,” said Deputy Director J. Sullivan, his voice hushed over the radio. Paragraph 3 In Monticello, residents found themselves trapped in two‑storey homes as floodwater swelled past the foundations..

Firefighters deployed inflatable rescue boats to navigate the flooded streets. One family, the Rios, had to evacuate onto the roof of their home after the basement flooded within an hour of the first downpour. “The water kept coming up, and we didn’t want to risk going down,” explained Maria Rios, 38, whose husband works as a school teacher..

The family was rescued by a helicopter from the nearby San Juan County airport. Paragraph 4 Authorities have placed restrictions on several county highways, citing the risk of sudden water surges. 550 corridor, running through Durango, was closed at 17:00 GMT on Saturday after a roadside culvert became clogged..

Police officers stationed at the intersection of 550 and 12th Street warned motorists to avoid the area and to seek higher ground. “These roads are no longer safe for any vehicle,” said Officer L. Martinez of the Durango Police Department. Local residents were directed to the nearest evacuation centres in the town’s community college..

Paragraph 5 The American Red Cross has opened emergency shelters in the high‑rise buildings of Cortez and Monticello, each now holding more than 200 displaced residents. Supplies include blankets, non‑perishable food and bottled water, but volunteers report shortages of heating elements, as temperatures have dipped to 12 °C. “The people here are mostly elderly, and many cannot afford to purchase a portable heater,” said Red Cross coordinator Anna Kim..

The organization has appealed for donations of electric blankets and portable generators through its online portal. Paragraph 6 Water damage to infrastructure has been extensive. The local power grid in Monticello suffered a blackout when storm‑surge damage knocked out transformers on the north side of town..

Utility crews are working through the night to restore service, but experts warn that power may remain out for up to 48 hours. In Durango, the municipal water treatment plant’s filtration system was damaged by debris, leaving the city’s water supply temporarily compromised. Residents have been advised to use bottled water until the system can be restored..

Paragraph 7 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has dispatched an emergency response team to the region, arriving on Saturday evening. FEMA’s spokesperson, Kevin Thompson, said that the agency will coordinate with state and local authorities to ensure that emergency supplies and medical assistance reach the most affected communities. “We’re providing additional water, food, and shelter support, and we’re also setting up temporary medical units to address injuries and health concerns associated with the flooding,” Thompson told a press briefing..

Paragraph 8 Local businesses have been hit hard by the flooding. The historic Olde Town Coffee Shop in Cortez was forced to close after its basement was submerged, and the owner, Thomas Delgado, announced that the shop might never reopen. “We were doing fine before the storm, but the damage is beyond repair,” Delgado said..

Many small merchants in the area rely on weekend foot traffic, which has plummeted since the flooding began. Economic relief packages are being drafted by the state’s Department of Commerce to help these entrepreneurs recover. Paragraph 9 There have also been concerns about water‑borne contamination..

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a statement warning residents not to drink untreated water from rivers or streams that may have been polluted by runoff. “The sudden flood can carry agricultural chemicals and sewage into the water system,” said EPA spokesperson Dr. She urged people to boil water before use and to follow guidance from local health authorities..

Paragraph 10 On the social front, community groups have mobilised to support residents in need. The Cortez Volunteer Fire Department organised a “Rooftop Relief” initiative, bringing food and blankets to those stranded on roofs. Meanwhile, a local choir performed at the Monticello shelter, providing a moment of solace amidst the chaos..

The sense of solidarity has been a bright spot in an otherwise dire situation, according to residents who have called the flood “a true test of community spirit.” Paragraph 11.