Days of torrential rain have turned desert roads into rivers across the Four Corners region — where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet — damaging homes, triggering water rescues, knocking out power, and leaving flood warnings in effect on Monday, October 26.
Some of the hardest-hit areas received up to five inches of rain since October 21, according to the National Weather Service — an extraordinary amount for a desert region where the ground cannot absorb water quickly. More than 200 people were in Red Cross shelters as waters receded. The San Juan River became a particular concern in southeastern Utah, where officials warned of major to possibly catastrophic flooding near Mexican Hat.
Warnings and advisories remained in effect in south-central Colorado, central New Mexico, southeastern Utah and parts of Arizona. A tornado also touched down in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on October 24, adding to the damage as crews checked evacuated neighborhoods.
The National Weather Service repeated its life-saving warning: most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive around barricades or through flooded roads — just a few inches of moving water can sweep a car away.
Facts: USA Today / NPR / National Weather Service, Oct 26, 2026. Original rewrite. Featured image: illustration.
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