Local
Flood warnings prompt evacuations and close roads in Archuleta and La Plata counties
Residents near four rivers in Archuleta County were ordered to evacuate as floodwaters shut roads across southwestern Colorado. La Plata County issued a pre-evacuation notice, while heavy rain and debris damaged roads and washed out a culvert.
Flooding in southwestern Colorado prompted mandatory evacuations in Archuleta County, a pre-evacuation notice in La Plata County and multiple road closures on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and the town of Pagosa Springs ordered residents in low-lying areas near the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers to evacuate shortly before 2 p.m. The National Weather Service’s Grand Junction office issued a flood warning for Archuleta County at 5:44 p.m., in effect until 5:45 a.m. Friday.
Flooding closed County Road 500 between mile marker 12 and Highway 151; North Pagosa Boulevard from around mile marker 3.5, near Gate 5, to Hatcher Circle; Colorado 151 south of its junction with U.S. 160, between mileposts 28 and 33; and Hermosa and San Juan streets in Pagosa Springs.
Southeastern La Plata County was under a flood warning through midnight Thursday. Officials issued a pre-evacuation notice around 6 p.m. for residents in the North Vallecito area.
Heavy rain, mud and debris contributed to a culvert failure that caused County Road 509 near Dry Creek, on the county’s west end, to collapse, county officials reported. County Road 309, about a quarter-mile north of County Road 310, and County Road 334 at 5962 County Road 334 were also closed. Crews advised drivers to use extreme caution at County Roads 513 and 510, where damage left the route passable in one lane.
The Colorado Department of Transportation had closed U.S. 550 over Red Mountain Pass between Silverton and Ouray ahead of expected heavy rain and flooding.
Local crews had been preparing for rising water after a flood watch was issued earlier in the week. On Oct. 20, Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, Archuleta County Public Works and the sheriff’s office began filling sandbags; a county sheriff’s office update said 310 bags had been filled in the first 2½ hours.