Imagine waking up to the news that your home is in danger of being swept away by raging waters. That's the harsh reality for hundreds of residents in Colorado right now. Authorities have issued an urgent evacuation order along Vallecito Creek and north of Vallecito Lake due to a devastating levee breach. But here's where it gets even more alarming: this isn't just a minor flood—heavy rainfall has caused the creek to surge to unprecedented levels, and the worst is yet to come.
The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control announced on Saturday that the situation has escalated rapidly. Overnight rains pushed Vallecito Creek to a staggering 1920 feet by 6:00 a.m., and footage from High Altitude Pagosa reveals the creek violently uprooting trees along its banks. At 10:08 a.m., the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District sounded the alarm, ordering the immediate evacuation of homes on West Vallecito Creek Drive. The levee, they reported, has multiple breaches on its west side.
By Saturday afternoon, the La Plata County Sheriff's Office confirmed that both Vallecito Creek and Grimes Creek had overflowed their banks, forcing the evacuation of nearly 350 homes north of the lake. An evacuation map is available for those affected (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9f33361d194a4af0811051b756b50238/). Evacuees can check in at Bayfield High School, and the emergency call center is ready to assist at (970) 385-8700. With another 1-2 inches of rain expected, the danger is far from over.
The fire protection district has issued a stark warning: many who initially refused to evacuate are now in desperate need of rescue. "It is crucial you leave the North End of Vallecito immediately," they urged. "We're battling to prevent debris from destroying the bridge at Grimes and Vallecito Creek, and Blue Spruce RV is being sandbagged. This situation won't peak until 8:00 p.m., and volunteers are working tirelessly at Upper Pine Station 1. The water is fast-moving, filled with debris and hazardous materials—delaying evacuation could be life-threatening."
Road closures are in effect for several areas, including east of Vallecito Creek Drive, Tucker Lane, Mountain View Drive, Scenic Drive, West Vallecito Creek, Ponderosa Drive, and Faith Lane. Meanwhile, La Plata County officials are offering free sandbags at three locations to help residents prepare for the ongoing heavy rains:
- The north side of the arena at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Event Center (2500 Main Avenue, Durango)
- Upper Pine Fire Protection District Station 1 (75 South Clover Drive, Bayfield)
- Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District Station (164 County Road 130, Hesperus)
A flood watch remains in effect until 6:00 a.m. Sunday, and rockslides, mudslides, and flooding have already been reported along highways in southwest and south-central Colorado. But here’s the part most people miss: driving through flooded roadways is not only dangerous but can be deadly. Officials strongly advise against it.
And this is where it gets controversial: while some residents argue that they know their land better than anyone and can weather the storm, emergency responders insist that staying behind puts not only their lives but also the lives of rescue teams at risk. What do you think? Is it ever justifiable to ignore evacuation orders in the face of such clear danger? Let us know in the comments below. Stay safe, Colorado—this is a battle against nature that demands respect and swift action.
