As the sun rises on a soggy Sunday morning here in Pagosa Springs, the echoes of yesterday’s torrential downpour still linger. What started as a routine fall weekend quickly turned into a test of resilience, with remnants of Hurricane Priscilla dumping up to 1.5 inches of rain across northern Archuleta County in just 48 hours. The San Juan River, our lifeblood and occasional wild card, surged to unprecedented levels, prompting mandatory evacuations, road closures, and a local disaster declaration. If you’re a visitor planning a trip or a local checking in on neighbors, this post breaks down what happened, the current status, and how we can all pitch in during recovery. Safety first: If you’re in an affected area, heed official alerts from Archuleta County Emergency Management.
The Storm That Wouldn’t Quit: A Timeline of the Pagosa Springs Flood Event
Friday evening into Saturday morning, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Four Corners region, but no one anticipated the intensity. By noon on October 11, the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs had crested at 2,540 cubic feet per second (cfs)—more than double the previous record of 1,080 cfs. Heavy rains, funneled northward from the dissipating hurricane, overwhelmed the riverbanks, turning low-lying parks and streets into temporary lakes.
- Saturday Afternoon Peak: Flooding hit Mary Fisher Park hard, with water spilling into nearby neighborhoods. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for San Juan River Village and areas south of Hermosa Street and San Juan Street in downtown Pagosa around 6 p.m.
- Evening into Night: Highway 160, our vital artery to Durango and beyond, closed in both directions due to “extreme” flooding conditions. The flood warning for the San Juan River remained in effect until early Sunday morning (7:33 a.m. MDT), when levels began to recede slightly.
- Today (October 12): A flood watch has been extended through Tuesday, October 14, as more scattered showers are possible. River levels are dropping but still elevated—monitor the USGS gauge for real-time data.
This isn’t our first rodeo with the San Juan’s moods (remember the 2013 floods?), but locals on social media are calling it one of the worst in recent memory, with some roads resembling rivers and basements turning into unintended hot tubs.
Impacts in Pagosa Springs: Roads, Homes, and Hot Springs Heart
Our geothermal haven took a direct hit, but the community response has been swift and spirited. Here’s the ground-level scoop:
- Evacuations and Safety: About 380 residents from low-lying areas were safely evacuated, with no reported injuries so far. The Town of Pagosa Springs activated its Emergency Operations Center, and shelters opened at the Community Center (if needed—call 970-264-4151 for updates).
- Road Closures: US Highway 160 has reopened. Locally, Aspen Street, Navajo Trail Drive, and parts of Hot Springs Boulevard saw water over the roads; most have drained, but drive cautiously.
- Infrastructure and Businesses: Minor flooding affected parks like Williams Creek Day Use Area, but the hot springs resorts (The Springs, Overlook) report no major damage—though access might be spotty. Downtown core is mostly passable, but power flickers and internet outages hit some spots overnight.
For visitors: If you’re en route, hold off until Monday; flights into Durango-La Plata County Airport are running, but ground travel is dicey. Locals, stock up on sandbags at the Public Works yard if you’re riverside.
Ripples Across the Region: Vallecito and La Plata County
While Pagosa bore the brunt on the Archuleta side, the floods didn’t respect county lines. Just west in La Plata County, Vallecito Lake’s feeder creeks turned into raging torrents, amplifying the chaos.
- Vallecito Lake Area: Vallecito Creek and Grimes Creek overflowed after levees breached on the west side of the lake, sending water at “historic” rates. Over 380 homes north of the reservoir (evacuation zones 1 and 3) were cleared out, with more than 100 properties flooded or damaged. Rescue teams pulled 8-11 people from stranded vehicles, including dramatic hot tub floats down the creek. Shelter is available at Bayfield High School (970-884-9642).
- La Plata County-Wide: A local disaster declaration was signed for unincorporated areas, unlocking state aid. Impacts include washed-out roads near Durango and power outages affecting hundreds. More rain could exacerbate things, so Upper Pine River Fire Protection District urges avoiding low-water crossings.
This interconnected flooding underscores our shared San Juan watershed—Pagosa’s surge fed into downstream woes, reminding us why regional cooperation is key.
Community Response: Heroes in Waders and How You Can Help
Archuleta and La Plata counties’ emergency teams deserve a standing ovation: Swift Water Rescue units from Durango and Pagosa Fire Protection District were on scene by midday Saturday, alongside CDOT crews clearing debris. The Red Cross and local churches are coordinating donations—drop non-perishables at the Pagosa Ranger District or text “FLOODCO” to 44321 for alerts.
Quick Ways to Lend a Hand:
- Donate: Archuleta County Flood Relief Fund via the Pagosa Springs Area Chamber (pagosaspringschamber.com).
- Volunteer: Sign up at pagosasprings.co.gov for cleanup crews starting Tuesday (weather permitting).
- Stay Informed: Follow @ArchuletaCountyOEM on X or download the FEMA app.
Looking Ahead: Resilience in the Rain
As the waters recede, Pagosa’s spirit shines through—like the neighbor who kayaked groceries to a stranded family. Expect assessments to wrap up by mid-week, with potential FEMA involvement if damages top thresholds. In the meantime, embrace our hot springs therapy: A soak might just be the reset we all need.
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