Four Corners region braces for more flooding as heavy rain returns
A fresh round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to hit the Four Corners area, where days of rain have already prompted evacuations, power outages and dozens of water rescues.
Flood watch extended as storms roll in again
The National Weather Service has placed a flood watch over much of the Four Corners region for Sunday, warning that additional thunderstorms could push river levels higher after several days of rain.
Rainfall totals and expected adds
From Wednesday through Friday, the area received about 4 inches (10 cm) of rain on already saturated ground, and forecasters said another inch (2.5 cm) could fall on Saturday.
Evacuations, power loss and rescues
- 600 homes were ordered to evacuate in the Farmington‑Shiprock corridor.
- Roughly 1,500 residents are still without electricity, according to local utilities.
- Emergency crews logged 20 water rescues in Farmington and surrounding communities, many using National Guard helicopters that lifted up to eight people per hoist.
- San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari said his own home was under about 4 ft (1.2 m) of water, but the situation is now stabilising.
Road closures and infrastructure damage
Two major routes remain impassable: a 2‑mile stretch of U.S. 64 west of Shiprock and a four‑mile section of New Mexico 371 south of Farmington, both submerged by the San Juan River.
Officials stress vigilance
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham urged residents to obey evacuation orders and keep an eye on alerts.
“If you’re told to evacuate, go,” she said in a statement.
Police Chief Steve Hebbe of Farmington called the event “once‑in‑a‑generation” and warned that “this is not over, and we need you to monitor alerts.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis added Conejos County to the list of areas eligible for federal disaster assistance.
Why the flooding is so severe
Experts note that the region’s arid, rocky terrain normally drains quickly, but weeks of tropical moisture from the Pacific left soils saturated, turning even modest rainfalls into flash‑flood threats.
What comes next?
Officials expect river levels to fall gradually, but with more storms forecast, the risk of renewed surges remains high through the weekend. Residents are advised to avoid non‑essential travel on flooded roads and to keep emergency kits handy.
Key numbers at a glance
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (Wed‑Fri) | 4 in (10 cm) | Across Four Corners |
| Additional rain forecast | 1 in (2.5 cm) | Saturday |
| Homes evacuated | 600 | Farmington/Shiprock area |
| People without power | 1,500 | |
| Water rescues logged | 20 | |
| Flooded road mileage | 6 mi total |
The situation remains fluid, and local agencies will update the public as conditions evolve.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (Wed‑Fri) | 4 inches (10 cm) | National Weather Service / local reports |
| Additional rain forecast (Sat) | 1 inch (2.5 cm) | National Weather Service forecast |
| Homes evacuated | 600 | San Juan County Emergency Management |
| People without power | 1,500 | Local utilities |
| Water rescues logged | 20 | San Juan County spokesperson Devin Neeley |
| Flooded road mileage | 6 miles | New Mexico Department of Transportation |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| San Juan County Emergency Management | Managed evacuations and rescues |
| New Mexico Department of Transportation | Reported road closures |
| Michelle Lujan Grisham | New Mexico governor issuing statements |
| Devin Neeley | San Juan County spokesperson |
| Steve Hebbe | Farmington police chief |
| Farmington, New Mexico | Major city affected |
| National Weather Service | Issued flood watch |
| Four Corners region | Intersection of AZ, CO, NM, UT |
| Shane Ferrari | San Juan County sheriff whose home was flooded |
| Jared Polis | Colorado governor approving disaster aid |
