In brief
A powerful storm unleashed heavy rainfall across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah on Sunday, prompting state officials to issue evacuation orders amid concerns of flash flooding. The region, still recovering from recent devastating floods, suffered rapid runoff on saturated ground and in steep, wildfire‑affected terrain. Meteorologists warn that the flooding threat could continue into Monday.
Heavy rains from a powerful storm triggered evacuation orders in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah on Sunday, with authorities warning of flash flooding that could last through Monday.
Evacuation orders and flood risk
The storm delivered significant rainfall to the southwestern United States, where the ground had already been saturated by the devastating floods that had occurred earlier in the year.
State officials in several counties issued evacuation orders because the saturated soil, steep canyons, and wildfire‑affected areas increase the risk of rapid runoff and flash floods.
The greatest danger was reported in parts of Arizona, southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, and western New Mexico, where the combined effect of heavy rain and saturated ground could trigger sudden flooding in narrow canyons and stream channels.
Meteorologists from the Weather Prediction Center said that the threat of flash flooding is expected to persist through Monday as long as the heavy rainfall continues.
Residents in the affected regions were urged to stay indoors, avoid driving through flooded roads, and follow the instructions of local emergency management agencies.
