Update, 1:36 p.m., Oct. 23: According to Sheriff Mike Le Roux, the National Guard Black Hawk is en route to Stevens Field with people and pets on board, and the Fire Hawk took Excel Energy personnel to work on the gas line.
Original: "Everywhere is a disaster," Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux said, adding, "It is catastrophic."
Shortly before 10 a.m. on Friday morning, Le Roux explained some of the ongoing situations relating to the flooding to The SUN.
Le Roux explained that early the morning of Oct. 23, someone attempt to relocate in a motor home along County Road 339 and attempted to ford water, at which point the motor home was washed down the river.
According to Le Roux, two people and three dogs are currently in the middle of the river. He explained emergency personnel attempted a rope and a swift-water rescue, but conditions remain too dangerous. A Black Hawk helicopter on its way from Rifle to hoist everyone to safety.
Le Roux also explained that a water rescue took place on Lower Blanco, County Road 335, for someone who was stranded and called in as hypothermic.
He added that Los Pinos is assisting with evacuations in the Arboles area due to Colo. 151 and County Road 500 closures.
Le Roux added a Fire Hawk helicopter from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control is also on its way and will be available for missions if needed.
Several areas have people who did not evacuate needing assistance, he noted.
Le Roux continued to urge people to shelter in place if possible.
Le Roux futher noted Excel Energy has a catastrophic main line break in the Colo. 151 corridor in the vicinity of Old Gallegos Road.
Mockingbird and North Pagosa Boulevard are gone.
Road closures include:
• U.S. 160 at Elk Park and the east side of Wolf Creek Pass.
• Hot Springs Boulevard.
• County Road 302.
• Colo. 151.
• County Road 500.
• North Pagosa Boulevard north of Mission.
• U.S. 160 and Alpha Drive: Active water is currently flowing across the roadway at this intersection and travel through this area is discouraged.
• 1st Street Bridge: Agency officials are actively in the process of closing U.S. 160 at the 1st Street Bridge.
• San Juan River at Pagosa Springs; 15.02 feet.
• Piedra River at Arboles: 10.48 feet.
• San Juan River at Carracas: At 11.45 feet as of 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 22. The gauge tops out at 11.79 feet.
• Rio Blanco: 9.46 feet.
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