Deadly flash floods batter the US Southwest as thousands are evacuated and catastrophic damage spreads

Flash floods struck the US Southwest on Monday and Tuesday, killing at least one person and forcing hundreds of evacuations across Arizona, Colorado and surrounding states. The Four Corners region was hardest hit, with the National Weather Service issuing dire warnings for Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Floodwaters damaged roads, homes and infrastructure across the region, with forecasters describing conditions as catastrophic.

Colorado Task Force 1 search-and-rescue teams were activated as swollen rivers cut off communities in southwest Colorado.

Sedona in Arizona and the upscale Colorado spa town of Pagosa Springs faced the most urgent warnings, with residents urged to leave immediately.

Election Day polling locations in at least some affected areas were disrupted, forcing officials to adjust voting arrangements amid the chaos.