Residents in southwest Colorado are struggling to regroup after heavy rains resulted in flooding over the last several days. Thunderstorms rumbled through the area Thursday and Friday resulting in evacuation orders for numerous areas including Pagosa Springs. The Colorado National Guard sent more than 100 guardsmen to the area to help people displaced by flooding rivers and streams that surged over their banks forcing residents to flee and businesses to shut down. Several major highways including Colorado Highway 151 and Highway 160 suffered severe damage and remain closed. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for 12 counties in southwest Colorado, freeing up state resources to aid in the recovery. The area could see more rain this week.
