ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Recovery efforts are continuing across New Mexico after days of flooding, severe storms, and a tornado caused widespread damage in communities stretching from the Four Corners region to central New Mexico.
Communities across the Navajo Nation remain affected by flooding following several days of unusually heavy rainfall. Officials say floodwaters damaged wastewater facilities and water retention ponds, resulting in sewage releases into the San Juan River.
Some residents remain displaced, and power outages continue in affected areas as cleanup and recovery operations move forward. The flooding was fueled by heavy rain that began last week, causing rivers and streams to overflow throughout the Four Corners region and prompting evacuations and water rescue operations.
The federal government has approved disaster assistance to support New Mexico’s response to the ongoing emergency.
According to FEMA, federal resources are now available to assist state and local agencies responding to severe storms and flooding that began on October 22 and continue to affect parts of New Mexico.
The emergency declaration covers Cibola, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, and San Juan counties, along with the Acoma Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Laguna Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, and Zia Pueblo.
Federal officials say emergency protective measures will be eligible for reimbursement at 75% federal funding, while FEMA coordinates personnel, equipment, and other resources needed to support response efforts.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has also signed executive orders making $8.25 million available for flood relief and plans to seek a Major Disaster Declaration that could unlock additional federal recovery funding.
Meanwhile, rescue and recovery efforts continue in Socorro County, where a woman who was swept away by floodwaters from the Rio Puerco Sunday night was found dead Monday.
Emergency crews also completed the evacuation of nine stranded residents in the unincorporated San Francisco area using New Mexico National Guard high-water rescue vehicles.
Officials say the evacuation order for the area remains in place until further notice, as the Rio Puerco continues to pose flooding concerns.
An evacuation shelter remains open at Finley Gym in Socorro, and U.S. Highway 60 east of Interstate 25 remains closed due to flooding.
In Santa Fe, recovery efforts are also underway following a confirmed EF-1 tornado that struck the city Saturday.
The National Weather Service determined the tornado produced winds of up to 110 miles per hour and traveled approximately 1.5 miles through the Via Caballero neighborhood. The storm damaged at least 10 homes near Camino Chueco and Rancho Siringo Road before lifting near Santa Fe College.
In response, Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia declared a natural disaster emergency for the city.
The emergency proclamation allows city officials to take additional actions to protect public safety, coordinate emergency resources, maintain essential services, and support residents affected by the tornado.
State and local officials say recovery operations are expected to continue for days, and in some communities, weeks, as crews work to restore infrastructure, assess damage, and assist displaced residents.
