Santa Fe, NM (KKOB) – The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has activated the State Emergency Operation Center to coordinate the statewide response in anticipation of flash flooding this week around the state.
State agencies are coordinating and positioning equipment and personnel including the New Mexico National Guard Swiftwater personnel, which are being pre-positioned near Ruidoso and Las Vegas, supported by regional teams on standby in Doña Ana, Santa Fe, Sandoval and Valencia counties.
DHSEM reports they have coordinated the delivery of 5,000 sandbags across four different counties and a mechanical sandbagger to Sandoval County and are prepared to deliver more to other local communities, if requested. Residents in need of sandbags should check with municipal or county officials for pickup locations. A list of locations is on our website newsradiokkob.com
“Sudden, heavy rainfall can become dangerous – especially in burn scar areas – so we’re putting resources in place to respond to any flash flooding emergencies quickly and effectively,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, Adjutant General of the NM National Guard and interim Cabinet secretary of DHSEM.
Emergency recommendations are important to follow such as:
· If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
· If you are not told to evacuate, shelter in place. Get to the highest point of your home or the building you are in.
· Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
· Never drive around barricades.
· Listen to Emergency Alert System, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
· Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
· Avoid camping or other outdoor activities.
· Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
Find more information about flood safety can be found on the DHSEM website.
