Share to ClassroomFloods Force Rooftop Rescues in US Southwest
Bad floods hit the Four Corners region of the United States on Friday, October 23. This is where four states meet: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Rescue teams took people off the roofs of their homes. In New Mexico, the National Guard used boats and helicopters all through the night. Some houses had up to one and a half metres of water inside. In the city of Farmington, about 600 families were told to leave their homes.
The rain started on Wednesday. It came from the remains of Hurricane Trudy, an old storm from the Pacific Ocean. Some places got record amounts of rain. After weeks of rain, the ground was too wet to hold any more water. A scientist, Daniel Swain, said warm ocean water helped cause the storms. He said El Niño, a natural change in Pacific Ocean temperatures, and climate change both played a part.
Colorado's governor, Jared Polis, declared an emergency in 11 counties. In Utah, floodwater damaged more than 100 homes and RVs (large camping vans). Navajo Nation police rescued 30 people on Thursday. In Arizona, a helicopter saved four people from the roof of a truck. By midday Friday, officials had not reported any deaths. But more storms are coming this weekend, and recovery will take a long time.
