By — Christopher Weber, Associated Press Christopher Weber, Associated Press By — Russ Bynum, Associated Press Russ Bynum, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/rain-moves-out-as-flood-risks-remain-in-southwest-following-destructive-storms Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Rain moves out as flood risks remain in Southwest following destructive storms Nation Nov 3, 2026 11:20 AM EST The skies were clearing, but the risk of flooding remained over parts of the U.S. Southwest after powerful downpours sent massive amounts of water surging over the usually dry landscape, forcing hundreds to evacuate and keeping swift-water rescue teams busy. Officials said cleanup and repair efforts could take weeks. One person died in the floodwaters and police suspect a second death was weather-related. The National Weather Service said Monday that isolated cloudbursts were still possible across the Four Corners region — where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah meet — as the phenomenon stoked by warming Pacific waters known as El Niño disrupts weather patterns. Damage was widespread in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a town of about 2,000. Officials feared the San Juan…
Rain moves out as flood risks remain in Southwest following destructive storms
In short
The severe storm system dumped more than 20 trillion gallons of rain over five states, causing the San Juan River to wash away a home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and sever access to the village of Chama, New Mexico. While the Colorado Department of Transportation managed to reopen some vital roadways late Monday, multiple local evacuation orders remain active as rivers approach their crests. In Arizona, historic rainfall totals exceeded seven inches in some areas, further straining local emergency response networks. To ensure democratic access amid the disaster, officials in Utah and Colorado have initiated accommodations like electronic ballots for displaced voters.
Key points
- Severe flooding continues to threaten Southwestern communities despite clearing skies bec…: Severe flooding continues to threaten Southwestern communities despite clearing skies because rivers are still approaching crest levels.
- Extensive damage to regional bridges and roadways has displaced hundreds of residents and…: Extensive damage to regional bridges and roadways has displaced hundreds of residents and left several mountainous communities completely stranded.
- State officials are deploying electronic ballots and emergency voting accommodations to e…: State officials are deploying electronic ballots and emergency voting accommodations to ensure affected citizens can participate in upcoming elections.