Pagosa Springs Flooding A Community Tested by Nature’s Fury
Between October 10 and 13, 2025, the small mountain town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, faced one of its worst natural disasters in decades. Torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Priscilla overwhelmed the San Juan River, causing it to crest at its third-highest level since 1911. The flooding prompted mandatory evacuations, damaged homes and infrastructure, and led to a statewide disaster declaration.
The San Juan Mountains received up to 6.3 inches (160 mm) of rain over three days. This deluge caused the San Juan River to overflow, flooding:
Downtown parks and Riverwalk areas
Residential zones near County Roads 335, 337, and 339
Estates Circle, Hermosa Street, and San Juan Street
The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for vulnerable neighborhoods, while sandbags were distributed at public works stations.
Damage and Displacement
Over 90 homes were damaged, some with 2 feet of water inside
Sections of U.S. Highway 160 were closed due to flooding
Emergency shelters opened at Ross Aragon Community Center
Water outages affected homes near downtown
Residents described hearing the river “like the ocean” from blocks away, a chilling reminder of nature’s force.
Governor Jared Polis issued a verbal disaster emergency declaration to mobilize state resources. Local police and fire departments conducted patrols, rescues, and traffic control. The National Weather Service maintained flood watches throughout the region, warning of additional rainfall and saturated soil.
The Pagosa Springs flooding highlights the need for:
Improved drainage infrastructure in mountain towns
Real-time flood monitoring systems
Community preparedness drills
Climate resilience planning as extreme weather becomes more frequent
The October 2025 floods in Pagosa Springs were a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can disrupt lives. While the community showed resilience and unity, the event underscores the importance of proactive planning and investment in disaster mitigation.