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Pagosa Springs relief group fields 45 requests after historic flooding
Residents across southwest Colorado are drying out and assessing damage after days of heavy rain pushed the San Juan River to its highest level since 1911. A Pagosa Springs community group has raised $30,000 and is distributing supplies, but says more donations are needed.
Residents in southwest Colorado began cleaning up Monday after days of heavy rain and flooding damaged homes, roads and businesses. The National Weather Service forecast clearer skies in the coming days, though a flood warning remained in effect through Tuesday morning for parts of Conejos and Montezuma counties.
In Pagosa Springs, the San Juan River crested at 15.02 feet Friday, its highest recorded level since 1911. The flooding followed torrential rain across Durango, Pagosa Springs and the San Luis Valley, fueled by the remnants of Hurricane Trudy.
Stephen Flowers, owner of Lucy’s Thrift Store in Manassa, said water flooded the shop by about a foot and ruined roughly a third of his inventory. He has lived in the San Luis Valley for more than 20 years and said he had never seen flooding like it. Flowers plans to sort through the damaged goods and try to salvage items for people who need supplies.
Near Pagosa Springs, Angel Thrasher Salter described water surging across the road as she drove home Thursday. She made it across a bridge over Stollsteimer Creek, but the flooding and weeks of rain damaged her home’s roof and washed out the driveway. Salter said her homeowner’s insurance claim was denied. Her husband has returned to work helping with disaster mitigation and cleanup, while she is unable to work because of a disability.
“We’re trying everything we can,” Salter said, adding that neighbors have been helping one another.
Pagosa Springs Friends of the Wild launched a flood-relief effort Sunday, providing food, water and other supplies to displaced residents. The group’s president and co-founder, Rachel Suh, said it has received 45 requests for assistance and raised $30,000. A donor has offered to match donations dollar for dollar.
The group plans to help residents remove debris from homes and yards and obtain equipment for cleanup, Suh said. Donations are being accepted at pagosafloodrelief.org.