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Flooding In Archuleta County, Colorado, Oct 22, 2026 · Confirmed

Permanent address · /co/archuleta-county/2026/10/22/flooding-455810

Status

Confirmed by an official source

Independent sources

5

First seen

Oct 22, 6:16 PM MDT

updated Oct 25, 8:52 AM MDT

Topic

Local News

What Happened

Flooding stranded dozens of people and prompted evacuations along 4 rivers in Archuleta County as a river peaked with more rain forecast, KMGH (Denver7 ABC), The Durango Herald, and The Gazette reported.

Written by our system from the sources below (3), version 2, Oct 23, 3:38 PM MDT. Official warnings are never rewritten: they are quoted as issued.

Sources · Copies Of One Story Count Once

How It Unfolded

Oct 22, 7:15 PM MDT · first source seen

Official Confirmation

Flood Warning
“Flood Warning issued October 22 at 5:44PM MDT until October 23 at 5:45AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO”
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Archuleta County in southwestern Colorado... * WHEN...Until 545 AM MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is occurring. Several structures are flooded, and numerous roads remain closed due to flooding impacts County wide. Streams will likely continue to rise due to excess runoff and additional rainfall expected overnight. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 528 PM MDT, Public and local law enforcement reported numerous impacts of flooding occurring across Archuleta County. Between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area this evening and overnight. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Pagosa Springs, Lonetree, Chimney Rock, Juanita, Gato, Pagosa Junction, Chromo and Arboles. - The San Juan River continues to rise, and is expected to exceed Major Flood Stage late this evening and overnight. This flood warning extends to tributaries, streams, creeks and low-land areas beyond the San Juan River. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
National Weather Service · issued Oct 22, 5:44 PM MDT
Flood Warning
“Flood Warning issued October 22 at 12:18PM MDT until October 23 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO”
* WHAT...Flooding caused by thunderstorms and excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Western Archuleta County in southwestern Colorado... Southern Hinsdale County in southwestern Colorado... Southern La Plata County in southwestern Colorado... * WHEN...Until midnight MDT Tonight. * IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 1212 PM MDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen over the last 24 hours. - This includes but is not limited to the following streams... Vallecito Creek, La Plata River, Animas River and many creeks and tributaries that feed into these rivers. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Durango, La Plata, Falfa, Hesperus, Bondad, Breen, Mayday, Kline, Marvel, Redmesa and Vallecito. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.
National Weather Service · issued Oct 22, 12:18 PM MDT
Flood Warning
“Flood Warning issued October 22 at 11:13AM MDT until October 23 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO”
* WHAT...Small stream and river flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...South Central Archuleta County in southwestern Colorado... * WHEN...Until 1000 PM MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is expected, especially along the San Juan River down to the Navajo River. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 1107 AM MDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain. Flooding is ongoing or expected in the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen over the last 24 hours. Excess runoff from rainfall will cause the San Juan River to rise downstream to the Navajo River, potentially inundating homes. - This includes the following streams and drainages... San Juan River, Blanco, Rio, Montezuma Creek and Navajo River. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Juanita and Gato. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.
National Weather Service · issued Oct 22, 11:13 AM MDT
Flood Warning
“Flood Warning issued October 22 at 10:26AM MDT until October 23 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO”
...The National Weather Service in Grand Junction CO has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Colorado... San Juan River at Pagosa Springs affecting Archuleta County. For the San Juan River...including Pagosa Springs...Major flooding is forecast. * WHAT...Major flooding is forecast. * WHERE...San Juan River at Pagosa Springs. * WHEN...From this afternoon to Friday evening. * IMPACTS...At 13.7 feet, Flooding of some residences near the river around Pagosa Springs is possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 10:00 AM MDT Thursday the stage was 8.5 feet. - Bankfull stage is 8.5 feet. - Forecast...The river will rise above flood stage late this afternoon to 13.8 feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall below flood stage tomorrow afternoon to 8.3 feet Saturday afternoon. It will rise to 8.4 feet early Sunday morning. It will then fall again and remain below flood stage. - Flood stage is 10.5 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/gjt. The next statement will be issued late tonight at midnight MDT.
National Weather Service · issued Oct 22, 10:26 AM MDT
A river gauge in the county read higher than usual for the month. · Oct 22, 6:30 PM MDT
A river gauge in the county read higher than usual for the month. · Oct 22, 7:00 PM MDT
A river gauge in the county read higher than usual for the month. · Oct 22, 7:15 PM MDT

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Archuleta County and its neighbours, as they are right now. The event is placed on the county; it is not drawn as a point.

How We Decided

Oct 22, 7:24 PM MDTPublished: One source reported it, and an official source confirms it.