Catastrophic Flooding on Navajo Nation and in New Mexico

Catastrophic Flooding on Navajo Nation and in New Mexico

Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation devastated on Friday by flooding as the San Juan River overflowed after heavy rains.  Photo Navajo Police Department.

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Dramatic air searches and rescues by helicopter in Bloomfield on the Navajo Nation, south of Farmington, New Mexico/

The San Juan River overflowing in Shiprock on the Navajo Nation on Friday.


Red Mesa Road in Red Mesa, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation flooded on Friday.
Photo Navajo Police Department.

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026

The Navajo Nation Police Department warned of rising water in the San Juan River in Utah this morning at 5 a.m., as catastrophic flooding continues with helicopter evacuations on the Navajo Nation and far reaching flooding in New Mexico.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Saturday that there were hundreds of water rescues between Bloomfield on the Navajo Nation, and Farmington, New Mexico.

Dine' on Black Mesa in Arizona struggled to reach their homes as dirt roads washed away, and turned to seas of mud.

In Rock Point, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, the tribe's all terrain vehicle reached stranded Dine' families waiting for evacuation with food and water, but the need continues, especially for food for livestock.

Navajo Police Department

ATTENTION BLUFF, MONTEZUMA CREEK, AND ANETH, UTAH COMMUNITIES
5:09 AM (MST): Below is a graph that shows the flood stages and water levels expected for the San Juan River near the Bluff area.
The Grand Junction National Weather Service forecasts:
“Catastrophic flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected along the San Juan River between Four Corners and Mexican Hat. This is an emergency situation!
WHERE...Western Montezuma County in southwestern Colorado... Southern San Juan County in southeastern Utah...
WHEN...Until 1 PM (MDT) Monday.
IMPACTS...Flooding along San Juan River is occurring with major flooding forecast. Low-water crossing are inundated with water and may not be passable. The river is running fast and high. Do not attempt to cross.
Major flooding is expected to occur along the San Juan River from Four Corners to Mexican Hat. The San Juan River is forecast to crest around midnight tonight at the Four Corners, reaching Montezuma Creek around 5 AM (MDT) Sunday, cresting between Bluff and Mexican Hat Sunday afternoon and peaking at Mexican Hat by 5 PM Sunday evening around 36 feet which will exceed all time record levels.
The San Juan River will rise above flood stage Sunday morning and continue to rise Sunday afternoon to moderate flood stage, peaking above major flood stage at Mexican Hat by 5 PM Sunday evening.
Locations that will experience flooding include: Mexican Hat, Tselakai Dezza, Bluff, Halchita, Montezuma Creek and Aneth.”
Caution is urged for residents who live near the San Juan River at this time.
The Navajo Department of Emergency Management is ensuring that Bluff, Montezuma Creek and Aneth residents are evacuated.
If you have been evacuated, do not return to your home under any circumstances. Flooded zones present severe, hidden dangers.
Two emergency shelters have been set up for residents:
•Aneth Community School, 162 San Juan County Rd. #466, Montezuma Creek, UT 84534.
•San Juan High School, 311 North Bronco Blvd, Blanding, UT 84511
Road closures: 160 Bridge and Montezuma Creek Bridge is closed.
For those that need assistance evacuating, please call the Montezuma Creek EMS Station at (435) 651-3754.
Please share this information and be sure to stay informed as conditions can quickly change.
Plan ahead, be vigilant and don’t wait until it is too late to take shelter.

Morning of Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Office of the Governor
October 24, 2026
National Guard, State Police carry out rescues as historic flooding hits San Juan County
Governor Lujan Grisham preparing request for federal disaster declaration
SANTA FE – 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/