Never before have we heard or spoken the words “catastrophic” and “widespread devastation” so many times in reference to our own community.
We hope to never do it again.
The last week has been unlike anything we have ever seen or experienced here in Archuleta County.
We have been heartbroken seeing what last week’s flooding — the second worst on record here in terms of flow on the San Juan River — left behind and what it took from our fellow community members.
We’d argue that, outside of the San Juan River, it’s the worst flooding ever in our community in terms of the damage and the number of lives affected.
We don’t remember another time when parts of our community were literally physically cutoff from each other to that extent.
We could believe what we were seeing and hearing, and it kept coming.
But, before the flooding ever started, the helpers were in action, reminding us of the wise words of Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people that are helping.’”
And they haven’t stopped helping.
It’s not every day we work to the sounds of helicopters overhead, but every time we hear it, we’re reminded of the wonderful resources who have come to help in our time of need, literally lifting our neighbors (and their pets) to safety. Ground crews are out braving the conditions to make sure our community members have the medications they need and things like food and fuel.
So many have worked around the clock to ensure people — the thing that matters the most in all of this — are OK and safe.
And it is a testament to them and the resiliency of this community that no fatalities and no injuries have been reported.
It’s simply amazing.
We cannot offer enough thanks to every single individual who has helped or will help, and we know we’ll never know everyone who has been boots on the ground (or in the air), donated supplies or funding, worked logistics behind the scenes, fed the responders and ensured that every other facet runs smoothly.
All of this work, and all the work yet to take place, will help our community have a chance at recovery and a thriving future.
Archuleta County is resilient. This will take a long time, require a lot of patience and take a lot cooperation, but we will bounce back. We already are.
In the meantime, let’s continue to show up for each other and welcome the folks who visit us here. Pagosa is not closed, as some have suggested.
Support local businesses whenever possible. Lend a helping hand when it’s safe and appropriate to do so. Be sensitive to the physical and mental toll this has taken on so many, and please seek help and support if and when needed.
We’re in this together, now and for the long haul.
We’re so happy we have the honor of calling Pagosa Country home.
Randi Pierce
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