The La Plata County Sheriff is temporarily closing all county roads because of dangerous flood conditions and debris flows. All residents are asked to stay home until further notice. Evacuation orders have been issued for several locations. A shelter is open for evacuees at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Event Center.

As Indigenous communities throughout northeastern Arizona continue to recover from major flooding, election officials are bracing for more rain in the forecast ahead of Election Day.

During the historic floods that swept across the southwest, the Animas River swelled to nearly four times its usual flow. Local flood management plans were tested as the river overran its banks.

Officials in Archuleta County and Pagosa Springs have issued mandatory evacuations for all low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, and Piedra Rivers. Pagosa Springs will close all roads into town by 2pm today.

The coming storm will not be as extreme as the recent record-breaking deluge that flooded the Four Corners.