How Pacific Hurricanes Triggered Flooding in Southwestern Colorado: Unpacking the Climate Change Connection

Two powerful hurricane systems recently hit the Pacific Ocean, leading to historic rainfall in western Colorado. This caused significant flooding, especially in La Plata and Archuleta counties, where Gov. Jared Polis estimates damages exceed $1 million. Pagosa Springs was particularly hit hard, with dramatic videos showing hot springs resorts inundated by the San Juan River. Thankfully, the Denver Post reported no lasting damages to these resorts.

Determining how much federal help will come for affected communities remains uncertain due to the current government shutdown. While most FEMA workers are continuing their duties, the agency’s Disaster Relief Fund is running low, which could delay the reimbursement process for states and local governments. There’s even a threat that FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program could lapse without action from Congress.

In response, Gov. Polis declared a verbal disaster emergency, freeing up state resources. Tax deadlines for those affected have also been extended. Officials are already collaborating with FEMA and other agencies to assess the damage.

Now, let’s consider the underlying factors surrounding these floods. Some monitoring stations recorded up to six inches of rain within just two days. This level of rainfall is quite rare for the San Juan Mountains, where snowstorms usually bring moisture instead.

Colorado State Climatologist Russ Schumacher highlights that similar hurricane-related moisture events occurred in the past, like a significant flood in October 1911 on the San Juan River. While it’s tough to pinpoint climate change’s role in this specific flooding, early research suggests that global warming is linked to increased hurricane intensity. Warmer oceans can lead to larger storms, which produce more rainfall.

Schumacher explains that even a slight uptick in rainfall can significantly worsen flooding impacts. He points out that after addressing flooding, there might be benefits, such as improved soil moisture that can alleviate drought in the following summer.

This year, southwestern Colorado has experienced both extreme drought and heavy rainfall. As of October 7, around 14% of Colorado faced extreme drought, but by the following week, that number dropped to 1.3%. This drastic shift illustrates the challenges of managing water resources effectively; floods and droughts are not ideal ways to receive water.

In summary, while the recent floods in Colorado were destructive, they may also help mitigate drought conditions moving forward. As these extreme weather events continue to occur, understanding their relationship to climate change and preparing for future occurrences will be vital for the resiliency of communities in the Mountain West.



Source link

archuleta county,archuleta county flooding,colorado state climate center,flooding,la plata county,la plata county flooding,pagosa springs,pagosa springs flooding,russ schumacher,southwest colorado flooding