Utah communities hit hard by flooding as more rain soaks Southwest

The city of Hurricane in southwestern Utah declared a state of emergency Thursday after reddish-brown floodwater surrounded about 80 homes in a neighborhood and 50 recreational vehicles at an RV park. A shipping container was seen drifting down a street as rising waters prompted mandatory evacuations along four rivers, including the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Pagosa Springs Town Manager David Harris said floodwaters were expected to crest a foot higher than during a similar flood a year ago. He noted that officials had learned from last year's event, though daredevils were spotted whitewater rafting in the debris-filled waters, risking rescue operations for already stretched emergency crews.

National Weather Service meteorologist Kate Abbott in Grand Junction, Colorado, said the ground is saturated after two months of heavy rain that ended a summer of drought. "At this point we're saturated and can't take too much more without flooding," Abbott said, noting this was the third or fourth round of significant moisture in as many weeks.

The flooding came a day after tornadoes struck central Arizona Wednesday night, injuring at least one person. Meteorologists suspect at least three tornadoes touched down, blowing off roofs, knocking trees onto houses, and downing power lines in communities including Overgaard, about 140 miles northeast of Phoenix.

Overgaard resident Lenna Landy described the storm as "Zeus-was-angry kind of level" with thunder cracks that shook her house and cut power. At the Overgaard Baptist Church, Pastor Eric Woods had just led prayers for safety when chandeliers began swinging; he ushered congregants into a windowless concrete bathroom where they continued praying as the storm hit "like a freight train."

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal