Today brought another day of progress throughout Archuleta County as crews continued reaching isolated residents, assessing road conditions, and coordinating additional resources to support our ongoing response and recovery efforts. While significant challenges remain, several important steps were taken today as our community continues moving forward.
Effective today, all mandatory evacuation orders related to the recent flooding have been lifted throughout Archuleta County. While this is an important step toward recovery, we want to emphasize that lifting these orders does not mean all areas are safe or accessible. Significant infrastructure damage remains throughout the County, and some roads and bridges may not be fully repaired for several months, particularly with winter approaching. Residents should only return home if it is safe to do so and reliable access is available. We strongly encourage those living in areas with compromised or limited access to consider voluntarily evacuating and making alternative living arrangements for the coming months. Damaged infrastructure and worsening winter conditions could significantly impact emergency response capabilities, access to essential supplies, and the ability to safely travel to and from these areas. Please continue respecting all road closures and barricades, and carefully evaluate your personal safety, access to utilities, and emergency needs before deciding to return or remain in affected areas.
Today, crews completed door-to-door outreach efforts along county roads 500, 700, and 551 corridors, making 16 stops at residences and successfully contacting residents at six locations. During these visits, crews checked on residents' well-being, identified needs, and coordinated the evacuation of two residents and their animals for a later date this week. Additionally, three separate wellness checks were completed throughout the day.
Following continued coordination with National Guard leadership, additional Colorado National Guard resources arrived in Archuleta County this evening. Our Incident Management Team has worked with National Guard leadership to establish mission priorities ahead of their arrival. These resources will provide additional support as we continue reaching affected areas and addressing critical needs throughout the County.
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are expected to arrive tomorrow to conduct additional damage assessments throughout Archuleta and the surrounding counties. These assessments will take place both by air and on the ground, helping provide a more comprehensive understanding of the damage and the recovery needs that remain.
At this time, there are no major changes to report regarding road closures and openings.
Our teams continue coordinating with Archuleta County Road and Bridge and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to monitor infrastructure repairs and provide updated information as conditions change.
Schools are also scheduled to reopen tomorrow, marking another encouraging step toward normal operations for our community. Families are encouraged to remain mindful of road conditions and follow transportation guidance from their school districts.
Residents impacted by the flooding can continue accessing assistance through the following resources:
Archuleta County Disaster Assistance Center, Wyndham Activity Center, 538 Village Drive, Pagosa Springs
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., daily
Scheduled to remain open through at least November 11, subject to change.
For information, call 970-264-2409.
Free Flood Cleanup Assistance: 970-283-7325
Incident Call Center: 970-508-9928
211 Colorado: Dial 2-1-1 for additional recovery resources and assistance.
Survivor Portal: https://crisistrack.juvare.
Today marked an important milestone for Archuleta County. Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted, additional resources have arrived, more residents have been reached, and our schools are preparing to welcome students back. These are encouraging signs of progress, but we recognize that for many families, the challenges created by this disaster are far from over. As we move further into recovery, our commitment remains the same: reaching those who need assistance, preparing for the challenges of winter, and doing everything possible to protect our community. We continue to be grateful for the dedication of our responders, the support of our partner agencies, and the incredible resilience of our residents.
Recovery will take time, but each day brings us another step forward. Together, we will continue working toward a safer, stronger Archuleta County.
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