DENVER (KDVR) — Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office Mandatory evacuations were announced to homes along the San Juan and Blanco rivers Monday evening, which the Pagosa Springs Police Department echoed later in the evening.
The Sheriff’s Office said it expects a peak flow on the San Juan River similar to the one that occurred Saturday evening at about midnight Monday. The agency announced earlier in the day that it has deputies patrolling the county to monitor rising water levels.
Due to the rapid rise in water levels and the expected risk of major flooding, all residents along Hermosa Street and San Juan Street were under mandatory evacuation orders, the police department said.
The police department said residents should evacuate immediately and seek alternative shelter, with flooding expected to peak near midnight with conditions that “may become life-threatening.”
Emergency shelter is available at the Ross Aragon Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Sandbags were provided at the Archuleta County Public Works Building on Interstate 84 and the Arboles Transfer Station.
The areas subject to the mandatory evacuation notices were on the south side of the Village of San Juan River, County Road 335 – Rainbow Road, Morning Rain Court, Evening Rain Court, County Road 337 / County Road 339 – Last Resort RV Park, Properties on County Road 339 closest to the Blanco River, County Road 500 – Real Estate Department, Hermosa Street and San Juan Street In Pagosa Springs.
The police department also closed all public parks in the downtown Pagosa Springs area, and indicated that emergency services were operating at full capacity due to weather-related incidents.
The agency said continuous rain was expected throughout the afternoon and early evening, and it had set up an evacuation shelter earlier in the day to prepare if necessary.
“Be aware of your surroundings and rock and mud slides,” the Archuleta County government said on Facebook earlier in the day. “The weather warning indicates a definite, present and present danger to this area. Take necessary safety precautions. All low-lying areas near rivers and streams are in advance evacuation status.”
In addition, Provincial Road 600-Piedra Road in Jacques Pastore was closed due to flooding, according to the provincial government.
Residents are urged to sign up for Nixle alerts on local.nixle.com/register Avoid flooded areas and roads.
“This is an evolving situation. Please remain alert, stay safe, and follow the directions of emergency personnel,” the Pagosa Springs Police Department said.