All articles tagged with #san juan river
The Four Corners region faces renewed flood threats after the San Juan River reached its highest crest since 1935, causing widespread evacuations and infrastructure damage. While water levels are receding, officials warn of ongoing risks from sewage contamination, power outages, and potential new storms.
The US south-west is preparing for another round of heavy storms after days of rain caused significant flooding and evacuations in the Four Corners area. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. While water levels in some areas are receding, officials warn of ongoing risks, including sewage contamination and power outages. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham emphasized that saving lives is the current priority, noting that hundreds of water rescues occurred between Farmington and Bloomfield. No deaths have been reported, but the region remains a disaster zone with damaged infrastructure and contaminated silt.
Severe flooding across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona has triggered emergency evacuations and rooftop rescues after record rainfall saturated the region. The San Juan River in Farmington, New Mexico, is reaching levels not seen since 1962, forcing hundreds of households to leave. Rescue teams are using helicopters and boats to save stranded residents, while untreated sewage is contaminating waterways. Officials warn that more rain is expected, and the event is linked to a strong El Niño and prior drought conditions.
The US Supreme Court ruled against the Navajo Nation in a water rights case, stating that the tribe waited too long to file its claim against the state of Arizona. The case involved the San Juan River, which runs through the Navajo Nation's reservation and is a crucial source of water for the tribe. The ruling means that the Navajo Nation will not be able to claim a larger share of the river's water.