Bluff, Utah evacuated as San Juan River floodwaters rise
Residents of Bluff and nearby communities were ordered to evacuate after floodwaters from the San Juan River rose rapidly, threatening homes and roads.
Key points
- Bluff residents were told to leave at 8:30 p.m. Sunday after floodwaters reached the town.
- Navajo Nation issued evacuation notices for Montezuma Creek and Aneth at 11:15 p.m. Saturday.
- Two shelters opened: Aneth Community School in Montezuma Creek and San Juan High School in Blanding.
- U.S. 160 bridge and Montezuma Creek Bridge were closed to traffic.
- National Weather Service warned of catastrophic flooding from Four Corners to Mexican Hat.
San Juan County told Bluff residents south of Highway 191/Main Street to leave immediately on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. after saying floodwaters were reaching the town and conditions were changing rapidly.
Residents were instructed to head north toward Blanding and not to cross flooded roads or drive through floodwater.
The Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management issued evacuation notices for Montezuma Creek and Aneth at 11:15 p.m. Saturday as river levels rose, forcing about 150 people from those communities out overnight into Sunday.
Two shelters were opened: one at Aneth Community School in Montezuma Creek and another at San Juan High School in Blanding.
By Sunday, Buu Nygren said severe flooding was still threatening Aneth and Montezuma Creek, and a National Weather Service alert identified Mexican Hat, Tselakai Dezza, Bluff, Halchita, Montezuma Creek and Aneth as communities facing major flooding into Monday.
Another round of rain could make the situation worse, especially where roads are already underwater or washed out, according to Chantal Wadsworth.
The U.S. 160 bridge over the San Juan River near the Arizona‑Colorado border remained closed to traffic on Oct. 25, and the Montezuma Creek Bridge also was closed while Navajo emergency management personnel worked to evacuate residents in Bluff, Montezuma Creek and Aneth.
The National Weather Service office in Grand Junction warned Oct. 25 of catastrophic flooding along the San Juan River between Four Corners and Mexican Hat, with floodwaters expected to crest around Aneth, Montezuma Creek and Bluff that afternoon and evening.
Residents needing evacuation assistance were advised to call Montezuma Creek EMS at 435‑651‑3754, and emergency shelters were available at Aneth Community School, 162 San Juan County Road 466, Montezuma Creek, Utah, and San Juan High School, 311 North Bronco Blvd., Blanding, Utah.
For information about food assistance, shelters and other resources, residents could call the incident command center at 928‑730‑8365, and police warned evacuated residents not to return home.
Your questions, answered
Why were Bluff residents ordered to evacuate?
Floodwaters from the San Juan River were reaching Bluff and conditions were changing rapidly, prompting an immediate evacuation.
Where were evacuees directed to go?
Residents were instructed to head north toward Blanding and avoid flooded roads or driving through floodwater.
What shelters were available?
Shelters were opened at Aneth Community School in Montezuma Creek and at San Juan High School in Blanding.
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