Local officials across southwest Colorado spent Monday preparing for more rain in the coming days and another possible round of flooding. Agencies have issued multiple evacuation orders over the past day; more information on those and nearby shelters is available below.
Last week, catastrophic flooding prompted officials to issue a disaster declaration as waters left residents stranded and washed away homes.
On Monday, the Rio Grande County Office of Emergency Management said it was working with other organizations to support the municipalities of Monte Vista, Del Norte and South Fork ahead of an incoming weather system that could bring more rain. They said that, while no residents are stranded, homes and businesses are still surrounded by floodwater from last weekend.
Rio Grande County OEM said it’s setting up an incident command center in South Fork and a Disaster Center in Del Norte. They advised the public to avoid the area until after Monday.
Volunteers arrived to help South Fork Fire Rescue make sandbags over the weekend, and the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control delivered thousands of sandbags and a hopper to help fill them.
Sandbag stations were set up at:
Del Norte (at the Bus Garage)
1055 French Street
Monte Vista (at County Shop)
N. Washington Street and Acequia Drive
211 Colorado also added weekend hours for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to help residents in emergency need of housing or other resources.
On Friday night, La Plata County urged residents of the La Plata River area and Pine River Valley, including Bayfield and Ignacio, to take precautions. Free sandbags are available 24 hours a day at self-serve stations located at:
La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main. Ave., Durango
Upper Pine Fire Protection District Station 1
75 S. Clover Dr., Bayfield
Los Pinos Fire Protection District Station 1
275 Browning Ave., Ignacio
Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District Station 1
164 County Road 130, Hesperus
Evacuation Orders
Archuleta County urged its residents to take precautions and told those living in low-lying areas to evacuate ahead of the storm. That includes all low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, and Piedra Rivers.
The Town of Pagosa Springs also issued a mandatory evacuation order on Oct. 31, warning that the San Juan River is expected to reach nearly 17 feet. But updated forecast models on Sunday show the river could reach almost 22 feet, breaking the record set in 1911.
“These anticipated conditions present a significant concern for properties along the San Juan River corridor and surrounding low-lying areas. Residents must not wait for the river to reach its projected height before evacuating. Evacuate immediately,” the town said.
They closed all roads leading into Pagosa Springs at 2 p.m. Sunday.
At 3:25 p.m., the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office determined the roads had become too dangerous and issued a shelter-in-place order, stating that compromised road conditions made it no longer safe to travel
“Road conditions remain dangerous, and additional rainfall may cause further damage and flooding. Every vehicle on the road creates additional risks for both the driver and emergency responders,” the ACSO said. “Please stay home, stay safe, and allow emergency crews to focus on those who need help.”
A shelter has been set up at:
Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association (PLPOA) Clubhouse
230 Port Avenue, Pagosa Springs
On Sunday, the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office also announced evacuation orders for Platoro down the Conjejos River Canyon to Fox Creek and Mogote, including Cañon.
“We anticipate flooding to reach the same level or higher as last time, and the TIXIER RAMIREZ bridge is at risk of failure. Leave immediately. Be prepared to be away from your home for multiple days. Bring necessary medications, identification and important documents,” the CCSO said.
Those evacuation orders were extended to Ortiz, San Antonio, Guadalupe and Menassa on Sunday.
A shelter is set up at Knights of Columbus Hall in La Jara, located at 521 Spruce St. A small animal and livestock shelter is available at the arena located at 177705 U.S. 285 in La Jara. Those transporting animals must call (719) 298-1099 before going to the shelter.
Del Norte and South Fork in Rio Grande County also received evacuation orders on Sunday.
A mandatory evacuation order is in place from the Rio Grande River to S. 14th Street in Del Norte and from the eastern town limit to the intersection of Highway 160/Rio Grande County 5N. In South Fork, evacuation orders are in place along the South Fork of the Rio Grande from Wolf Creek Ranches on Highway 160 to the confluence with the Rio Grande River (including the Beaver Creek Estates subdivision). Residents from River Greens at the South Fork Confluence to County Road 18 also need to leave immediately.
Evacuation shelters are available at:
South Fork Community Building
254 Colorado Highway 149
South Fork, CO 81154
Del Norte – Rio Grande Hospital Wellness Center
310 County Road 14
Del Norte, CO 81132
Small & Large Animal Shelter:
McMullen Building – Ski Hi Complex
2335 Sherman Avenue
Monte Vista, CO 81144
On Sunday evening, La Plata County issued evacuation orders for the Junction Creek Mobile Home Park and Alamo Drive in Durango, Pine River Ranches in Bayfield, and the Meadowbrook Mobile Home Park and homes north of Lakin Street in Ignacio. A shelter-in-place order is in effect for the Forest Lakes Subdivision in Bayfield. Residents on Tripp Creek Road and Sanctuary Lane in Hermosa are also under a shelter-in-place order.
Shelter is available at:
La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Ave.
Ignacio High School
315 Ignacio St.
Bayfield High School
800 CR 501
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