{"id":16174,"date":"2025-10-12T19:14:45","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T01:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/vallecito-evacuation-orders-remain-in-place-sunday\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T21:55:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:55:14","slug":"vallecito-evacuation-orders-remain-in-place-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/vallecito-evacuation-orders-remain-in-place-sunday\/","title":{"rendered":"Vallecito evacuation orders remain in place Sunday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Vallecito
Vallecito Creek flows near 6,000 cubic feet per second at the north end of Vallecito Reservoir on Saturday as floodwaters from Vallecito Creek caused an evacuation of 383 homes in the area. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Unprecedented flooding in northern Vallecito on Saturday forced the evacuation of over 390 homes, damaged an estimated 100 homes, and damaged bridges and evacuation routes.<\/p>\n

Despite the scale of the flooding, no deaths or serious injuries were reported, according to La Plata County.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody died today,\u201d Upper Pine Fire Protection District posted Saturday evening on Facebook.<\/p>\n

The county said in a news release Sunday afternoon multiple agencies, including Upper Pine fire, La Plata County Sheriff\u2019s Office, and the county assessor\u2019s and building offices are evaluating the flooded area to find hazards and assess damage to homes before residents are allowed to return.<\/p>\n

Upper Pine fire and the La Plata County Sheriff\u2019s Office conducted 11 successful high-water rescues on Saturday, according to a county news release. Most of the rescues were necessary after a levee breach on the east side of Vallecito Creek flooded Tucker Lane.<\/p>\n

La Plata County Emergency Management issued another evacuation notice<\/a> Saturday evening for residents of Middle Mountain Road, citing the closures of East Vallecito Creek Bridge on County Road 501 and restricted access to 5 Branches Bridge due to road damage.<\/p>\n

Three evacuation zones now cover much of northeast Vallecito, including the original zones north of Vallecito Reservoir. An evacuation map is available at ReadyLaPlata.org.<\/p>\n

\"There
There are now three active evacuation zones in Vallecito, which encompass much of northeast Vallecito and the original evacuation zones north of Vallecito Reservoir. An evacuation map is available at ReadyLaPlata.org. (Screenshot)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Upper Pine fire announced Saturday that the evacuation route on County Road 501A from Elkhorn to 5 Branches \u201cis now impassable\u201d due to damage that made it unsafe for vehicles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only open evacuation route is down County Road 501 and County Road 500 leading to Bayfield High School,\u201d the fire district said.<\/p>\n

La Plata County advised evacuees to use County Road 501 west of Vallecito Lake and exit south, noting there is no access via the east side of the lake.<\/p>\n

A number of road and bridge closures are in effect as well, including:<\/p>\n

The intersection of County Roads 500 and 501, which is open to exiting traffic only.County Road 501A.East of Vallecito Creek Drive.Tucker Lane.Mountain View Drive.Scenic Drive.West Vallecito Creek Drive.Ponderosa Drive.Faith Lane.The 5 Branches Bridge is closed at 4762 County Road 501 A.The East County Road 501 Bridge is closed at Vallecito Creek Drive.The Mountain River Road Bridge is closed.<\/div>\n

Abutment work on impacted county bridges and the Vallecito Creek Bridge on County Road 501 is scheduled for Monday.<\/p>\n

With helicopters scheduled to fly over the impacted area to assess damage, drones are prohibited to fly in the area from Vallecito Lake dam to the north, according to the county.<\/p>\n

La Plata County issued a local disaster declaration Saturday afternoon to obtain state resources and increased access to funding for response and recovery.<\/p>\n

The American Red Cross announced Sunday that the overnight shelter established Saturday at Bayfield High School has been relocated to the Bayfield Recreation Center at 110 East South St.<\/p>\n

\"Floodwaters
Floodwaters flow near Christy and Joe Korinko\u2019s residence in Vallecito near County Road 501 and Vallecito Creek on Saturday shortly after they made the decision to evacuate. (Courtesy of Christy and Joe Korinko)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cAnyone who has been affected is welcome to stop by for a hot meal, to charge their phone and get other support. We don\u2019t ask for identification, and you don\u2019t have to stay overnight,\u201d the Red Cross said.<\/p>\n

Evacuees must have RapidTag credentials to return to evacuation zones once they are deemed safe, according to the county.<\/p>\n

Credentials can be obtained at the Pine River Shares building at 658 S. East Street in Bayfield.<\/p>\n

Christy Korinko, who evacuated with her husband from their home near County Road 501 and Vallecito Creek, said that as of 11:48 a.m. Sunday, residents were not being allowed past county roads 500 and 501 to return.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may need to find somewhere to stay tonight,\u201d she said in a text message.<\/p>\n

Upper Pine fire described the flooding on Saturday as significantly worse than the 2006 Vallecito flood, which inundated at least 18 homes.<\/p>\n

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