What is the location of the flooding?
As of November 2, 2026, severe flooding is affecting communities across the Four Corners region and surrounding areas of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Heavy rainfall over already saturated ground has caused rivers, creeks, and washes to overflow, flooding roads and prompting evacuations.
Affected areas include Arizona’s Verde Valley, Oak Creek, Tonto Basin, and San Carlos River corridor. Flooding also extends along the San Juan, Animas, and La Plata river systems in Colorado and New Mexico, and the Rio Grande and Conejos River in Colorado. Flood warnings also cover the San Juan River corridor in southeastern Utah (1).
Which cities or areas are affected by the flooding?
Communities affected by flooding or under flood alerts include:
- Arizona: Camp Verde, Cedar Creek, Chinle, Clarkdale, Cornville, Cottonwood, East Fork, Fort Apache, Gisela, Lake Montezuma, Peridot, Pinetop-Lakeside, Rimrock, San Carlos, Sedona, Seven Mile, Show Low, Tonto Basin, and Whiteriver.
- Colorado: Bayfield, Cortez, Del Norte, Dolores, Dove Creek, Durango, Guadalupe, Hermosa, Hesperus, Ignacio, Manassa, Mogote, Monte Vista, Ortiz, Pagosa Springs, Platoro, San Antonio, and South Fork.
- New Mexico: Aztec, Bloomfield, Cedar Hill, Chama, Farmington, Kirtland, La Puente, Los Ojos, Shiprock, and Upper Fruitland.
- Utah: Aneth, Blanding, Bluff, Goulding, Halchita, Mexican Hat, Montezuma Creek, Tselakai Dezza, and White Mesa.
What is the current containment status of the flooding?
As of November 2, 2026, flooding remains active across the Four Corners region and surrounding areas. Major flooding is occurring along Arizona’s San Carlos River. Exceptionally high water levels are forecast along the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and the Animas River near Cedar Hill, New Mexico. Flooding also threatens areas along the San Juan River at Farmington.
In Arizona, dangerous flooding continues along the Verde River and Wet Beaver Creek, affecting communities around Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Lake Montezuma, and Rimrock. Runoff from heavy rain and melting mountain snow is also expected to increase flooding along Colorado’s Rio Grande and Conejos River, with risks continuing across parts of the San Luis Valley through November 3.
Response efforts include evacuations, road closures, emergency shelter operations, and sandbag distribution. Several evacuation zones in Pinetop-Lakeside have returned to Normal status, but emergency restrictions remain in effect in other affected communities.
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
Flooding has prompted evacuation orders in parts of Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Other threatened communities have been told to prepare to evacuate or shelter in place.
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Arizona: Evacuation orders cover designated areas in Camp Verde, Cornville, Cottonwood, Rimrock, and Sedona, along with all of Gisela, lower Tonto Basin, several Fort Apache Reservation communities, and areas along the San Carlos River. Shelter-in-place notices have also been issued for the Fort Apache Reservation and Pinetop-Lakeside.
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Colorado: Evacuation orders cover downtown Pagosa Springs, neighborhoods along Junction Creek in Durango, affected mobile home parks in Hesperus and Ignacio, and communities along the Conejos River Canyon. Designated areas of Del Norte, Monte Vista, and South Fork are also under evacuation orders. Shelter-in-place instructions affect areas near Bayfield and Hermosa.
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New Mexico: Residents within half a mile of the Animas, La Plata, or San Juan rivers in San Juan County have been directed to evacuate.
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Utah: A flood warning covers southern San Juan County through Monday afternoon, November 2. Major flooding is occurring or expected in the warned area, creating a particularly dangerous situation. Communities under the warning include Aneth, Blanding, Bluff, Mexican Hat, Montezuma Creek, and White Mesa.
Emergency shelters are available in Camp Verde, Durango, Farmington, Monte Vista, Pagosa Springs, Tonto Basin, Whiteriver, and other affected communities. Some locations also accommodate pets or livestock. Residents should check current shelter details and evacuation maps, as arrangements and boundaries can change (2).
Follow the instructions for your specific area. Avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded roads and low-water crossings, and never drive around barricades. Call 911 if you are trapped by rising water or in immediate danger.
How can I protect myself from mold after flooding?
It’s important to take steps to prevent mold after a flood.
- Before entering a flooded area, make sure it is safe and free from electrical hazards or structural damage.
- Use protective gear: wear gloves, goggles, and a KN95/FFP2 mask to minimize exposure to mold spores.
- If there is still standing water, remove it as quickly as possible. Use pumps, wet-dry vacuums, or buckets to extract the water.
- Open windows and doors to facilitate air circulation and use fans, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems to help dry the space. This step is crucial within the first 24-48 hours after flooding to prevent mold growth.
- Remove and discard any items that have been severely damaged by floodwater and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and any other porous materials.
- Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a detergent or cleaner suitable for mold remediation. Use a solution of 1.5 cups of bleach mixed with one gallon of water to disinfect nonporous surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as the fumes are toxic.
- Maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) of 35-50%. High humidity promotes mold growth, so consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
- Run a high-performance air purifier for mold, both during and after the mold removal work.
- If the flooding and mold damage are extensive, consider contacting professionals specializing in mold remediation to ensure proper cleanup and restoration.
Remember, mold can pose health risks, so it's important to take these steps promptly and thoroughly. If you experience persistent mold-related health issues or have concerns about extensive mold growth, consult with a medical professional or a mold remediation specialist.
