Farmington, New Mexico — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham traveled to San Juan County on Monday, October 26, to walk through flood-damaged communities along the San Juan and Animas rivers and meet with local officials, first responders and families still displaced by the flooding.

What is happening: The governor made the trip with Major General Miguel Aguilar of the New Mexico National Guard. The visit had been timed to let rescue crews, deputies and emergency vehicles finish their urgent work first, and it came as floodwaters were receding and early damage assessments were getting underway. The governor had asked for a federal emergency declaration for the county on Saturday, October 24, and the state's congressional delegation followed with its own appeal for a federal disaster declaration. The flooding along the Animas, Rio Chama and San Juan rivers touched an estimated 160,000 residents, and an early assessment put the number of flooded homes in San Juan County as high as 18,000.

Local impacts: The San Juan River climbed to historic levels. It reached 14.07 feet at Farmington, above the 12-foot major flood mark, and 16 feet at Shiprock, where forecasters expected it to push past 23 feet. County officials say the river is running at its highest level since at least 1909. About 58 National Guard members deployed to the county with swift-water rescue teams, helicopters and boats, and law enforcement reported hundreds of water rescues between Farmington and Bloomfield. The evacuation center at McGee Park remains open for displaced residents. Recovery costs are still being counted, with the county manager warning that infrastructure and environmental damage could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

What to do:

- Stay out of floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage and chemicals, and broken gas and power lines remain a danger.

- If you see water rising around you, get to higher ground immediately.

- Do not drive through flooded roads. Turn around and find another route.

- Residents who need shelter or help can go to the McGee Park evacuation center and follow county emergency updates.

Source: Tri-City Record, October 26, 2026. Reported by TNW News.