Flood information for La Plata County

Last updated by WRC: Monday, November 2, 2026, 12:30 p.m. Every section lists its official source and the time WRC last checked it. Conditions are changing; always confirm with La Plata County’s 2026 Flood page and the ReadyLaPlata evacuation map.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Dial 2-1-1 for emergency housing, shelter, and flood recovery assistance.

Call or text the Women’s Resource Center at 970.903.9930 for advice on navigating flood resources.

Never drive through flooded roads. Turn around, don’t drown.

1. Right now

Evacuations

No evacuation orders have been lifted. If you were evacuated, do not return home until the county says it is safe. Check your address on the ReadyLaPlata map or call the county call center at 970-385-8700.

Areas under evacuation orders
  • Durango, along Junction Creek: Columbine Drive, Delwood Avenue, Bacus Avenue, Needham Court, West 3rd Avenue, West 2nd Avenue
  • Durango, Alamo Drive
  • Durango, Junction Creek Mobile Home Park, 535 CR 204
  • Bayfield, Pine River Ranches
  • Ignacio, Meadowbrook Mobile Home Park and homes north of Lakin Street
  • Hesperus, Pine Winds Mobile Home Park, 21351 Highway 140
  • The Cottonwood Creek Road area of The Ranch subdivision
  • Gleneagles Loop, off CR 203
  • Estancia and Valley Court subdivisions, off CR 203

The earlier shelter-in-place orders for Tripp Creek Road and Sanctuary Lane (Hermosa) and Forest Lakes Subdivision (Bayfield) no longer appear on the county’s page, but no all clear has been posted. Residents there should confirm their status before traveling.

Source: La Plata County, alert page and 2026 Flood page, as of 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Shelters

  • La Plata County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 2500 Main Avenue, Durango
  • Bayfield High School, 800 CR 501, Bayfield
  • Ignacio High School, Ignacio

Source: La Plata County, alert page and 2026 Flood page, as of 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Roads and the river

  • The countywide road closure has been lifted, but many roads remain closed or damaged. Stay home and avoid nonessential travel. If you must travel, use extreme caution and never enter a closed area.
  • See the county’s list of confirmed road closures (as of 10 a.m.; it does not include every affected road) and cotrip.org for state highways.
  • The Animas River is closed to all watercraft until further notice.

Source: La Plata County, alert page and 2026 Flood page, as of 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Voting

If evacuations, road closures, or flood conditions prevent you from voting, contact the La Plata County Elections Office at 970-382-6296 or elections@lpcgov.org.

Source: La Plata County, 2026 Flood page, as of 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Stay informed

Source: La Plata County, 2026 Flood page, as of 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

2. Get help

Emergency housing

If your home is in a mandatory evacuation area, you may qualify for up to 28 nights of free temporary housing through 211 Colorado and Airbnb.org. Dial 2-1-1 or 866-760-6489 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or text your ZIP code to 898-211.

Eligibility and using your credit

Source: 211 Colorado, 211colorado.org/disaster-response, as of 11:15 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Food and water

  • Free hot meals: Manna’s take-out window, 1100 Avenida Del Sol, Durango, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free Food Market: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m. (970-385-5095)
  • Lost food (SNAP): contact La Plata County Human Services within 10 days at 970-382-6150, ext. 0, to request replacement benefits.
  • Drinking water: if your flooded home relies on a well, pick up two cases of water per day at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

Sources: Manna Soup Kitchen, Manna Durango Facebook post published the morning of November 2, 2026, checked by WRC at 11:20 a.m. 211 Colorado (SNAP), as of 11:15 a.m. La Plata County 2026 Flood page (water), as of 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Cleanup and financial help

  • Cleaning kits: from the American Red Cross at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
  • Emergency financial assistance: American Red Cross, (970) 242-4851.
  • Volunteer cleanup help: register with Crisis Cleanup, (970) 283-7325.
  • Free sand and sandbags, self-serve, 24 hours: La Plata County Fairgrounds (north lot); Upper Pine Fire Station 1, Bayfield; Los Pinos Fire Station 1, Ignacio; Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Station 1, Hesperus.

Sources: La Plata County 2026 Flood page and alert page, as of 12:30 p.m.; 211 Colorado, as of 11:15 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Power outages

Report outages to LPEA at (970) 247-5786. Check the LPEA outage map. Never touch a fallen power line.

Source: La Plata Electric Association, lpea.coop, as of 9:00 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Schools

All Durango School District 9-R schools are closed Monday, November 2.

Source: Durango School District 9-R, durangoschools.org, as of 8:57 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

3. Recover safely

Safety at home after the flood
  • Carbon monoxide: never run a generator, grill, camp stove, propane heater, or gas engine indoors or in a garage. If anyone has a headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion, get outside and call 911.
  • Propane: if you smell propane, call 911. If your tank was turned off, call the County Building Department at 970-382-6250 for a pressure test.
  • Food after outages: if your power is off when you return, throw out all refrigerator and freezer food.
  • Wet lithium-ion batteries (e-bikes, scooters, tools, mobility devices) can catch fire days later. Move them outdoors, 20 feet from buildings, and do not charge them.
  • Septic: if your system was underwater, do not use toilets or water for two weeks. Questions: Public Health, 970-247-5702.
Health and floodwater
  • Stay out of floodwater; it may contain sewage and chemicals. If you touch it, wash with soap and clean water.
  • Throw away food that touched floodwater. When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Keep children away from floodwater and from toys that touched it until disinfected.
  • Seek medical care if a wound becomes red, swollen, or oozing.
  • Before re-entering a flooded home, see the CDC’s guidance.
Insurance and property
  • Most homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Insurers must send you a copy of your policy within 3 business days of your request.
  • Comprehensive auto coverage covers flood damage to vehicles. National Flood Insurance Program claims start at floodsmart.gov.
  • When safe, photograph the damage.
  • Questions: Colorado Division of Insurance, 800-930-3745, doi.colorado.gov.
  • Property value questions: County Assessor, (970) 382-6221.

Sources: La Plata County 2026 Flood page, as of 12:30 p.m.; 211 Colorado, as of 11:15 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

Long-term recovery

Source: 211 Colorado, 211colorado.org/disaster-response, as of 11:15 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

4. How to help

  • Community Emergency Relief Fund: the Community Foundation’s La Plata Flood Recovery fund supports community organizations meeting emergency needs (designated for the October floods; funds do not go to individuals).
  • Manna: donate money or food; give dry gear and cold-weather items (sleeping bags, tents, tarps, ponchos, socks, jackets, blankets, boots, backpacks); or volunteer to help prepare shelter meals. Contact Manna at 970-385-5095.
  • More guidance: Colorado Responds, Southwest Colorado Floods 2026

Sources: Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado, swcommunityfoundation.org/cerf, as of 11:15 a.m.; Manna Soup Kitchen, Manna Durango Facebook post published the morning of November 2, 2026, checked by WRC at 11:20 a.m. 211 Colorado, as of 11:15 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2026.

The Women’s Resource Center shares this information as a community service. For the most current orders and closures, rely on the official sources linked in each section. For help navigating resources, call or text WRC at 970.903.9930 or email programs@wrcdurango.org.