UPDATE: Various Agencies Respond To Flood Emergency

Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart hosted a news conference Sunday morning to provide an update on the southern Doña Ana County flood.  The residences in La Union, with Visnaga to the west; South Street to the South and Alvarez to the east are on a  mandatory evacuation, at least through Sunday night.

People who need assistance are encouraged to go to the American Red Cross evacuation center at the Anthony Senior Community Center, 875 Anthony Drive in Anthony.

Stewart advised residents to consider that the emergency is ongoing, with potential rain in the forecast. The area continues to be monitored by first responders, and though some water has been directed out of the area, any additional rain can pose a danger to people, their residences and property. “Until we can visually inspect those structures, we cannot place people at risk by allowing them in,” Stewart said. 

“Please note that this is a larger issue than what you can possibly see from your home. Some of you may not have experienced rain or flooding, but five miles up the road, they did,” Stewart said. “We must all stay vigilant and avoid the areas that are  hardest hit, as we continue to carefully monitor the situation because one more downpour could have a significant impact.”

The following intersections in La Union are impassable:

-       Visnaga Street and Telles Ave.

-       Conejo Road and Sentenario St.

-       Conejo Road and Mendez St.

-       Paloma St. and Salome Hernandez St.

-       Casad Road is washed out

Robert Armijo, Doña Ana County Engineering and Roads Chief Engineer provided an update on road and provided the following safety tips. “Please be patient and slow down,” Armijo said. “Our crews are working hard and putting in long hours, with heavy equipment and it is more dangerous work each time it rains. Please do not jeopardize their safety, nor your own.”

Water continues to be pumped from behind Gardner Dam into an arroyo.  The crew is pumping the equivalent of a residential swimming pool every minute.

The Board of County Commissioners’ declaration of a disaster, enabled the County to access more New Mexico State Police resources, which can be more widely used.Doña Ana County’s Board of Commissioners sent Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham a resolution requesting that she declare an emergency in southern Doña Ana County because of flooding, caused by severe weather events.  County management was informed that she will act on the request on Monday.

Until then, a multi-agency effort comprised of emergency responders and law enforcement will continue to help residents, providing shelter, food, water, sandbags and other supplies, while coordinating flood water and utilities management.

To help, the public is welcome to donate to the American Red Cross. More information will be shared soon about specific items the affected families need.

“We really want to thank everyone in the community who is helping us care for the residents most affected by the flood,” Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart said. “Volunteers and neighbors stepped in to help their neighbors clean up residences; add sandbags to protect their homes and offer food, shelter and water.” 

Below is a list of agencies on site, collaborating to manage the emergency needs after flooding, caused by severe weather.

Information from Doña Ana County