Southwestern U.S. floods force Colorado evacuations, Arizona rooftop rescues

A powerful storm caused flooding across several southwestern U.S. states. The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, reached its second-highest level since 1911, while emergency crews in Arizona rescued residents from rooftops.

A powerful autumn storm hit several states in the southwestern United States, including Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, causing flooding for the second time in about a week in a region usually known for its dry climate.

In the Colorado town of Pagosa Springs, the San Juan River reached 16.8 feet (about 5.1 meters) Sunday evening, the second-highest level in recorded history after the 1911 flood that swept away most of the town. About 1,000 homes in Archuleta County are under mandatory evacuation orders, and roads leading to the town have been closed.

National Weather Service: Rio Chama River flooding in the town of Chama

In Arizona, Oak Creek rose to historic levels in Sedona. The office of Governor Katie Hobbs said aerial rescue crews from the Department of Public Safety evacuated residents from their rooftops. In the Tucson area, 12 water rescues were carried out Sunday with no injuries reported, while emergency crews in Flagstaff searched for a man swept away by floodwaters.

In New Mexico, the Rio Chama overflowed in the town of Chama, prompting evacuations and the closure of Highway 64. The National Weather Service forecast continued river flooding in central and western parts of the state through Tuesday.