Flash floods hit United States Southwest causing evacuations and deaths

Flash floods triggered by days of heavy rainfall have swept across the United States Southwest, submerged neighbourhoods, destroyed homes, and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate. Euronews reported that at least one person died and police suspect a second death was tied to the severe weather. PBS NewsHour, the New York Post, and AP News all reported that mandatory evacuation orders were issued across a broad swath of the region. [1][2][4][10]

In Colorado, homes, motorhomes, and cars were carried away in Arboles, according to Euronews. The outlet also reported that residents in Camp Verde, Arizona, were forced to scramble to safety as rising water surrounded a motorhome park. Emergency services carried out dozens of rescue operations across the impacted areas, including rescues conducted by helicopter. [1]

Officials in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, warned of potentially catastrophic flooding as the San Juan River was forecast to crest above 20 feet, according to PBS NewsHour and the New York Post. The weather service issued flood watches and warnings for almost all of Arizona, as well as parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada, the New York Post reported. [2][4]

The flooded region covers the Four Corners area, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. The Southwestern United States is a geographical and cultural region that also includes Nevada, California, Oklahoma, and Texas. [1][11]