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Flood watch issued for Four Corners and beyond

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch (green area) for the Four Corners. (Courtesy National Weather Service)
Flooding possible in Southwest Colorado and southeast Utah, National Weather Service warns

More rainstorms combined with saturated soils has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch for the Four Corners and beyond.

The flood watch is in effect from until 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible, especially on fire burn scars and areas with already saturated ground in the San Juan Mountains and southeastern Utah.

The following areas are at risk: Southwest Colorado, southeast Utah, Animas River Basin, Four Corners, upper Dolores River, San Juan River Basin and southwest San Juan Mountains.

In southeast Utah, the flood watch includes Canyonlands, Natural Bridges, and the La Sal and Abajo mountains. Flood watches extend into western New Mexico and nearly all of Arizona.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. People are advised to avoid flood-prone areas like creeks, drainages, low water crossings and slot canyons.

In addition, heavy rainfall over the Pack Creek Fire, Ice Fire, 416 Fire and East Canyon Fire burn areas, among other burn scars, could result in flooding below those burn areas.

Residents and travelers near those burn areas should prepare for potential flood impacts.

Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

Heavy rain has fallen in these areas over the past few days, and deep monsoonal moisture is forecast to move into these areas again Wednesday.