The National Weather Service office in Flagstaff, Arizona, has issued a Flood Warning covering 21 areas across parts of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. The warning was issued on October 23 at 3:22 PM MST and remains in effect until October 25 at 12:00 AM MST – roughly 33 hours of heightened flood risk.
Communities under this warning include Coconino and Navajo counties in Arizona; Mesa, Montrose, Archuleta, Hinsdale, La Plata, and Montezuma counties in Colorado; and Grand and San Juan counties in Utah, along with 11 additional areas across the region. This is a broad, multi-state event typical of slow-moving storm systems that drop heavy rain over the Four Corners area.
What You Might Notice
Residents in the affected areas may see rapidly rising water in normally dry washes, creeks, and slot canyons – a particular hazard in the desert Southwest, where hard, dry ground sheds water quickly rather than absorbing it. Low-water crossings on rural roads may become impassable, and some highways could see temporary closures. If you live near a burn scar from recent wildfires, be aware that those slopes can produce debris flows even with moderate rainfall.
Practical steps to take now:
First, avoid driving through flooded roads. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and about a foot can carry away most vehicles. If you encounter water across a road, turn around – it is often impossible to judge the depth or whether the roadbed underneath has washed out.
Second, if you live in a canyon, near a wash, or in a low-lying area, know your quickest route to higher ground and be ready to move if water begins rising. Keep a charged phone handy and enable wireless emergency alerts so you receive any Flash Flood Warnings, which indicate immediate danger.
Third, delay or reconsider backcountry plans. Slot canyons and desert trails are especially dangerous during regional rain events, since storms miles away can send walls of water downstream with little warning.
Conditions should gradually improve after the warning expires at midnight on October 25, though saturated ground means localized flooding can linger. Data for this alert comes from the National Weather Service (NWS Flagstaff, AZ).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of the 21 affected areas?
Stay off flooded roads, avoid washes and low-water crossings, and keep emergency alerts enabled on your phone. If you live near a wash, canyon, or burn scar, know your route to higher ground and be ready to move quickly.
How long will this flood risk last?
The warning runs until 12:00 AM MST on October 25. Flooding from saturated ground can persist for hours after rain ends, so continue to use caution into early Sunday.
Is it safe to hike in slot canyons or desert areas during this warning?
No – slot canyons and desert washes can flood suddenly even from rain falling miles upstream. Postpone backcountry trips until the warning expires and conditions dry out.
My area isn't listed – am I safe?
Nearby areas outside the warning can still see heavy rain and localized flooding. Check with your local NWS office for any advisories covering your specific county before traveling.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (86% illuminated), in Pisces.
Notable planetary angles: Sun conjunct Venus (2°), Mercury square Jupiter (88°), Mars trine Saturn (124°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 4.3; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
