US families are plucked from rooftops as 'once-in-a-generation' floods swamp homes across Colorado and New Mexico

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 October 2026.

Aimee Goodday woke around midnight to freezing water pouring into her trailer and spent 12 hours on the roof with her family before rescuers arrived. The San Juan River peaked at 15 feet in Pagosa Springs, its highest since a 1911 flood. Some 600 households in Farmington, New Mexico, were told to evacuate after at least 60 rescues. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency.

San Juan County spokesman Devin Neeley said the sheriff was 'damn near going to lose his home'.

The New Mexico National Guard rescued an infant suffering seizures on Thursday night.

Flooding damaged wastewater systems in Pagosa Springs, triggering sewage spills.

The GuardianSevere flooding in US west triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders CBS NewsSouthwestern Colorado flooding destroys homes and strands residents NY PostMassive New Mexico floods swamp homes, prompt rooftop rescues CBS NewsCatastrophic flooding leaves Colorado residents stranded: "We have no way in or out"APSevere flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders Washington TimesRooftop rescues and evacuations as severe flooding soaks Four Corners region The Denver PostFlooding prompts rescue efforts, evacuations in southern Colorado ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and VideosSevere flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

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