A flood watch is in effect for several areas in Utah and Colorado through Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service Grand Junction. The advisory warns that flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible in various regions.
In Utah, the flood watch includes the Arches/Grand Flat, Canyonlands/Natural Bridges, La Sal and Abajo Mountains, and Southeast Utah. Specific locations mentioned include Moab, Green River, Monticello, and Canyonlands National Park. The National Weather Service notes that excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and recent burn scars, and may also impact low-water crossings and clog storm drains with debris.
The watch also extends to portions of southwest Colorado, including the Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, San Juan River Basin, and the Southwest San Juan Mountains. Impacted areas include Ridgway, Telluride, Ouray, Lake City, Pagosa Springs, Silverton, and Durango. Officials stated that flooding is imminent or ongoing with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through Friday afternoon.
In New Mexico, a flood watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. Friday for portions of western, central, and north-central areas, mainly along and west of the Continental Divide. Additionally, a separate flood watch for the Animas River at Farmington is scheduled to be in effect from Friday evening to Saturday evening. As of 10:30 a.m. Thursday, the river stage was 6.4 feet, and officials forecast that flood stage of 10.0 feet may be reached late tomorrow evening.
Additional weather impacts reported by the National Weather Service include a flood watch for the eastern San Juan Mountains and Upper Rio Grande Valley through Friday afternoon. In Arizona, a flood watch remains in effect through Thursday evening for northern and central regions, including the Grand Canyon Country and Flagstaff, due to potential flash flooding from excessive rainfall.
