Historic flooding forces evacuations in Southwest as storm shifts east for Election Day

Record-breaking rainfall has triggered widespread flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across the Southwestern United States, particularly impacting the Four Corners region of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. Communities in Sedona, Arizona, ordered residents to evacuate as floodwaters rapidly rose, while Pagosa Springs, Colorado, issued dire warnings of potentially catastrophic flooding, with the San Juan River expected to surpass levels seen in a devastating 1911 flood. Other areas like Bluff, Utah, and Gisela, Arizona, also experienced significant flooding and evacuation orders.

This severe weather system, fueled by a series of Pacific storms, delivered months' worth of rain to the typically arid region over just a few days. The saturated ground and high river levels intensified the flooding risk. Search and rescue operations were underway, and officials in several states reported homes without power and extensive damage, with New Mexico alone estimating costs up to $300 million.

As the Southwest grapples with the aftermath, the same powerful storm system is now projected to shift eastward, bringing inclement weather to the central United States for Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Forecasts indicate soggy conditions, thunderstorms, and strong winds stretching from the Great Plains and Upper Midwest to the Lower Mississippi Valley and western Gulf Coast. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the storm's trajectory, noting that the potentially disruptive weather could influence voter turnout in key midterm races across affected central states.