National Guard, State Police carry out rescues as historic flooding hits San Juan County

Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 2:40 PM

San Juan River Flooding in Shiprock NM on Oct. 24, 2026 (Courtesy Navajo Nation Police)

New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham preparing request for federal disaster declaration

From the Office of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Saturday, October 24, 2026

State emergency crews are working alongside San Juan County officials to rescue residents and support evacuations after historic flooding along the San Juan and Animas rivers.

The State Emergency Operations Center is activated and worked overnight to support affected communities, including coordinating state agencies with federal, local and Tribal partners to deliver lifesaving response resources.

By Saturday, law enforcement had reported hundreds of water rescues between Farmington and Bloomfield. The National Weather Service estimates that thousands of homes and buildings have also been affected. On Friday, the San Juan River at Farmington ran 2 feet above its previous record, set in 1909.

“Families in Bloomfield and Farmington spent the night on rooftops watching the river flood their homes, and our National Guard and State Police crews have been bringing them to safety,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Right now, our focus is saving lives. If you’re told to evacuate, go. Once the water recedes, the state will do everything in its power to help San Juan County families rebuild.”

About 58 New Mexico National Guardsmen, including swift water rescue teams, were deployed to San Juan County on Friday and Saturday. When washed-out roads and severe weather cut off a family near Chaco Canyon, a New Mexico National Guard emergency response team reached them overnight Thursday and evacuated their infant, who was having repeated seizures.

Floodwaters also reached the Bloomfield Water Reclamation Facility, and untreated wastewater flowed into the San Juan River. City officials are asking residents to limit water use.

Flood warnings remain in effect through Sunday afternoon for the Animas River near Farmington and for the San Juan River at Farmington and Shiprock.

No deaths have been reported.

Governor Lujan Grisham is preparing a request for an Emergency Disaster Declaration from the federal government in response to the flooding in San Juan County and surrounding areas this week. On Friday, the Governor requested that federal officials approve a Major Disaster Declaration for the flooding that struck New Mexico from Sept. 20 through Oct. 2. That request seeks federal assistance for 14 counties, including Dona Ana County, and three Tribal nations. The state estimates public infrastructure damage from that flooding at $27.1 million. Damage from this week’s flooding in San Juan County and surrounding areas will be assessed once the water recedes.

Residents in affected areas should:

Evacuate immediately if told to do so. Shelter is available at McGee Park, which accepts pets and RVs, and at Power House Church and First Baptist Church in Shiprock.

Call 911 if you are trapped or in immediate danger. Call 2-1-1 for other assistance.

Never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!

Check road conditions at nmroads.com and pay attention to local emergency alerts.

Find more information about flood safety at

https://www.dhsem.nm.gov/preparedness-for.../flooding/

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