20 Trillion Gallons of Rain Leave Southwest Residents Rebuilding
After two weeks of heavy storms, communities in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah begin clearing mud and debris as floodwaters recede.
By Mateo Thompson ·
More than 20 trillion gallons of rain fell across the Four Corners region and Nevada over the past two weeks. Ryan Maue, a former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, calculated the volume. The water turned parts of the Southwest into muddy lakes. Residents began cleaning up their properties on Tuesday.
Jack Ellis, a retired teacher, stood near the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The town experienced two severe flooding episodes in recent weeks. Ellis described the situation as a total disaster, particularly for low-lying areas. He said residents are pulling everything out and then having to do it again.
Skies cleared on Tuesday, but flood risks remained as water moved through the dry landscape. Hundreds of evacuees returned home while fast-water rescue teams continued operations. One person died in the floodwaters. Police suspect a second death was related to the weather.
Authorities in Pagosa Springs warned that cleanup and repairs could take weeks. Walkways and bridges collapsed or suffered severe damage. A sign in front of a resort complex read Love Pagosa. The entrance was covered with a tarp, and sandbags were stacked nearby. Ellis expressed hope that the federal government would provide help. He noted that the area is a blue state and that everyone pays taxes.
In Durango, about 60 miles to the west, Willow Bradner’s house was surrounded by nearly two feet of mud. Water from the overflowing Junction Creek entered the home at a height of almost five feet. Bradner, who runs a custom closet and storage business with her husband, said the basement became a bowl of soup. The basement had been a sales point when they bought the property in 2024.
Bradner said she had asked if they needed flood insurance. She was told they were outside the flood zone. The couple and their teenage daughter have been offered a place to stay until the end of the year. Strangers have helped with shovels. Bradner said most of their savings are tied up in the house. They must find the strength to rebuild.
San Juan County, New Mexico, authorities reported that the main rivers reached their peak. The San Juan, Animas, and La Plata rivers are not below flood levels but will continue to drop. The agency posted online that the crest has passed for all rivers. Floodwaters will take 24 to 48 hours to recede.
Some communities in Colorado and Utah made alternative plans for voting on Election Day due to the floods. In Florida, where heavy rains also affected parts of the state, voting centers were changed in at least eight counties. Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency declaration.
