Severe flooding causes rooftop rescues, evacuations in U.S. Four Corners region – CTV News

Severe flooding causes rooftop rescues, evacuations in U.S. Four Corners region  CTV News

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Severe flooding in the U.S. Four Corners region Friday led to water rescues — some from rooftops — and impassable roads, with some residents urged to evacuate low-lying areas of Colorado and New Mexico and others to stay where they are until levels go down. The flooding was caused by heavy rain in the desert where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet, with more rain in the forecast through at least Saturday. Hundreds of people along the San Juan River in the biggest city in the area, Farmington, N.M., were told to evacuate. Downstream, residents of the vast Navajo Nation braced for floodwaters not expected to peak until late Friday or early Saturday.

“Do not wait to make your evacuations. Make your preparations for yourselves, your families, as well as your animals,” Navajo Nation Deputy Police Chief Donnie Kee urged during a news conference. The crisis capped a week of severe weather in which rain swamped dozens of homes in Utah and tornadoes blew off roofs, knocked trees onto houses and downed power lines in Arizona. In New Mexico, more ‘once in a generation’ flooding ahead Rescuers used New Mexico National Guard boats, helicopters and amphibious vehicles Thursday night and into Friday to try to reach stranded residents, San Juan County spokesman Devin Neeley said.