Severe flooding in US west triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders
At least one injured after flooding in Four Corners region – which includes Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah
TL;DR
- Severe flooding in the Four Corners region is causing water rescues from rooftops and making roads impassable.
- Residents in Colorado and New Mexico are being told to evacuate or shelter in place.
- The region experienced earlier flooding in Utah and tornadoes in Arizona, with at least one injury reported.
- National Guard is assisting with rescues and evacuations in New Mexico and Colorado.
- Farmington, New Mexico, has issued evacuation orders for about 600 households.
- Colorado's governor declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties due to heavy rain and flooding.
- Utah's city of Hurricane is cleaning up after declaring a state of emergency, with floodwaters affecting homes and an RV park.
- Meteorologists attribute the increased flooding risk to saturated ground from two months of heavy rain following a drought.