Floodwaters from the San Juan River forced residents to leave parts of a Utah town Sunday night before officials allowed them to return Monday morning, according to San Juan County. The evacuation order for the area ended at 5 a.m. Monday, though several properties on the east side of Bluff, south of Highway 191, remained flooded.
San Juan County urged residents to flee at 8:30 p.m. Sunday as water reached the town. Anyone living south of the highway on the river side was instructed to leave without waiting for further updates. Evacuees were directed to head north toward Blanding, carrying essential supplies, medications, and pets, with an emergency shelter established at San Juan High School at 311 N. 100 E.
The National Weather Service's Salt Lake City office issued a flood warning for parts of San Juan and Kane counties that is in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy rain continues to cause flooding along the river, and the river near Bluff was expected to reach its highest level late Monday afternoon or evening, near or slightly above moderate flood stage. Downstream flooding toward Lake Powell is expected to last through at least Tuesday morning.
The weather service warned that low-water crossings could be submerged and riverbanks may become unstable. Additionally, people were advised to stay away from the San Juan River due to high water levels and potential health risks from sewage contamination. The Bluff Senior Center canceled meals from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30 because of the flooding and its regional effects.
The flooding in Utah followed evacuations in Archuleta County, Colorado, where authorities ordered residents in low-lying areas to leave four rivers on Thursday. In that area, a Colorado National Guard helicopter crew rescued two people and three dogs from a partially submerged recreational vehicle on Friday after it was swept into a river while attempting to escape.
While the county is not collecting direct donations for flood relief, it is directing those seeking to help to the Bluff Community Foundation's flood relief fund.
