Four Corners flooding has forced evacuations and water rescues across the south-western United States, with more heavy rain and thunderstorms expected to threaten the region.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch covering much of the area where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. Rivers that rose sharply after days of rain were expected to begin receding, although officials warned that conditions remained dangerous.
Further downpours could send water through roads, small streams, narrow canyons and areas affected by previous wildfires. The rain was forecast to spread into the central and northern Plains on Sunday night before reaching the Upper Midwest on Monday and Tuesday.
In south-west Colorado, water levels in the San Juan River increased significantly overnight. The San Juan River Bridge remained closed, while flooding in Pagosa Springs submerged a house almost entirely, leaving only part of its roof and chimney visible.
Resident Chris Mott described the force of the water as it moved through a neighbourhood, saying: “I’m sorry, buddy. I tried. I really tried. But this one was bigger than the last one. It moved sandbags and everything.”
Flood damage and power cuts reported
About four feet of water entered the home of San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari in New Mexico. He said conditions in the area were stable on Sunday, but residents were clearing mud and dealing with damage.
County spokesperson Devin Neeley said there were no official figures for the number of damaged homes or evacuees. He said he was not aware of any deaths.
Floodwaters were receding but had left mud and silt behind, much of it contaminated with sewage after failures at waste treatment plants, Mr Neeley said. Power outages were affecting several areas and some residents could be without electricity for several days.
“It’s a pretty active disaster zone,” Mr Neeley said. “We’re not on the downswing by any means.”
The flooding follows two months of intermittent heavy rain linked to tropical moisture moving inland from the Pacific. The region had experienced months of drought before recent flooding also affected the Grand Canyon and parts of New Mexico.
