After weeks of rain, receding floodwaters leave mud and shattered homes across the Southwest

Flooding eases in some areas

The Southwest endured two major rounds of storms, with rain falling on ground already saturated by an especially wet fall. Some rivers crested below forecast levels overnight, easing fears of worse flooding in Shiprock and Farmington, New Mexico.

Major rivers in San Juan County remained above flood stage, county spokesperson Devin Neeley said. The county expected it might soon lift evacuation orders affecting at least 20,000 residents and shift its focus to recovery.

In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, longtime resident Jack Ellis surveyed damage along the San Juan River. He said residents would have to “dig in and dig out,” describing the flooding as a disaster, especially for people in low-lying areas.

Mud and damage in Pagosa Springs

The downtown area remained closed to traffic Tuesday as crews used heavy equipment to remove mud, water and debris. Walkways and bridges had collapsed or sustained heavy damage, and cleanup and repairs could take weeks or longer.

Mail carrier Alyssa Gallegos, whose family has lived in Pagosa Springs for generations, saw a video showing her stepfather’s home swept off its foundation. She knew old family photographs and other childhood keepsakes were inside.

Gallegos said her heart was crushed, adding that the damage affected many people, not only her stepfather. The town is known for hotels with riverside hot springs.

Floods disrupt voting

Heavy rain also disrupted Election Day plans in parts of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Florida. At least 20 polling places changed in at least eight Florida counties after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared an emergency.

In Rock Point, Arizona, flooding forced officials to move a polling place. Valinda Shirley, vice president of the Rock Point Chapter, said a bridge closure and washed-out dirt roads left hundreds unable to vote in the U.S. midterms and the Navajo Nation presidential election.

Gallegos helped move mail-in ballots to the post office before a 7 p.m. counting deadline. In Florida, more than 2 feet of rain fell in Brevard County since Sunday, while Palm Beach County received over 20 inches, flooding parking areas and cutting off access to condominiums.

Rainfall and deaths reported

One person died in floodwaters, and police suspect a second death was related to the weather. Skies began to clear Tuesday, though flooding continued in some places.