NewsKPBS Public MediaOctober 27, 2026San Diego County
New Mexico Governor Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham secures federal emergency declaration and releases $8.25 million for flood response
Photo: KPBS Public Media
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed executive orders releasing $8.25 million in state funding for flood response after intense rainstorms caused historic flooding across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. The federal government has also partially granted New Mexico's request for an emergency declaration as officials warn residents of ongoing hazards like raw sewage and damaged infrastructure.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
Residents displaced by historic flooding face hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure damage and property destruction, while authorities restrict re-entry due to contamination risks from raw sewage, gas lines, and chemicals.
Key Facts
- Intense rainstorms driven by an active El Niño-driven Pacific hurricane season caused substantial flooding across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.
- The San Juan River in Farmington, New Mexico, grew 13 times larger in 36 hours, surging from about 3.5 feet on Thursday morning to 14 feet by Friday according to National Weather Service gauge data.
- Fire crews, police officers, National Guard troops, and out-of-state swift water teams rescued between 200 and 300 San Juan County residents using high-clearance, amphibious vehicles, and helicopters.
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stated that infrastructure damage alone could cost between $200 million and $300 million.
- The federal government partially granted New Mexico's request for an emergency declaration in response to the regional flooding.
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed executive orders making $8.25 million in additional state funding available for flood response.
- Public officials urged evacuated residents to stay out due to severe hazards including raw sewage, damaged gas lines, live power lines, and contaminated floodwaters.
- Sewage spills occurred at flooded treatment plants in locations such as Sedona, Arizona, and well water requires testing along the Rio Grande's path in the San Luis valley.
Who's Mentioned
locationNavajo reservation“Reservation spanning three states served by Farmington.”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Provided data from a river gauge in Farmington.”PersonDavid Vega“San Juan County Fire Chief.”PersonMichelle Lujan Grisham“New Mexico Governor who visited San Juan County and signed executive orders for ”PersonTyler Schmidt“Captain of the fire and rescue team in South Fork, Colorado.”locationGobernador Canyon“Normally dry tributary contributing flood surges.”PersonConnie Gooch“Farmington resident for over 65 years whose sister's home flooded.”locationRio Grande“River with well water testing needs and affected paths.”locationSouth Fork“Small town in Colorado on the banks of the Rio Grande.”locationSedona“Arizona location with flooded sewage treatment plants.”locationNew Mexico“State experiencing severe flood damage.”OrganizationKNAU“Reported extensive damage on the Hopi reservation.”locationPagosa Springs“Colorado town along the San Juan River.”locationCañon Largo“Normally dry tributary contributing flood surges.”PersonDan Boyce“Colorado Public Radio reporter.”locationLake Powell“Destination of the San Juan River on the Utah-Arizona border.”OrganizationColorado Public Radio“Reported on responder priorities in Colorado.”locationSan Juan County“New Mexico county experiencing severe flooding and rescues.”locationSan Juan mountains“Colorado mountains where torrential rains fell.”OrganizationNational Guard“Provided high-clearance and amphibious vehicles for rescues.”PersonDevon Neeley“San Juan County's public information officer.”locationSan Luis valley“Valley along the Rio Grande path.”PersonMike Stark“San Juan County manager.”locationBluff“Utah town along the San Juan River.”locationHopi reservation“Reservation reporting extensive damage, surrounded by the Navajo reservation.”locationBloomfield“New Mexico town along the San Juan River.”locationUtah“Adjoining state affected by flooding.”locationSan Juan River“River passing through Farmington carrying floodwaters.”locationNavajo Reservoir“Reservoir upstream from Farmington.”locationFarmington“Northern New Mexico city hit hard by flooding.”locationColorado“Adjoining state affected by flooding.”locationArizona“Adjoining state affected by flooding.”