San Juan County warns evacuees not to return as floodwaters recede

WINDOW ROCK

San Juan County officials warned residents of evacuated neighborhoods Sunday not to return to their homes as floodwaters receded, citing contaminated water, downed power lines and possible gas leaks.

At a noon briefing at the San Juan County Administration Building in Aztec, New Mexico, undersheriff Cory Tanner said crews had begun checking homes for hazards, a process expected to take days. He said officials were unaware of any deaths or serious injuries.

San Juan County Fire Chief David Vega said rescue operations had ended, with crews now checking for hazards as water recedes in Bloomfield, Lee Acres and Harper Valley near Kirtland, New Mexico.

Vega said floodwater carries gasoline, diesel, pesticides, fertilizer, raw sewage and oilfield production water, though officials have not determined the full extent of contamination.

He advised anyone exposed to floodwater to remove their clothing outdoors, bag it and wash it separately from other laundry, particularly children’s clothing. He recommended gloves, goggles, protective suits and respirators for anyone entering flooded homes.

Tanner said roads still underwater could conceal potholes or sinkholes. Other hazards include damaged gas and propane lines, downed power lines, damaged electrical wiring and dead animals washed onto property.

About 400 Farmington Electric Utility System customers remain without power because service was deliberately disconnected for safety, Linda Jacobson-Quinn, the assistant director for regulation and control, said. The rest of the system is fully energized, she said, and residents returning to affected areas should report downed lines and assume all electrical equipment is still carrying electricity.

The utility plans to open direct phone lines for affected customers Monday.

Tanner said gas and electric service would be restored as crews clear individual neighborhoods. Calling to request service before then would not change the restoration order.

County Manager Mike Stark described the flooded areas as “a disaster zone” and asked residents not to begin cleaning up. Flooded drywall, carpet, clothing and spoiled food will not be accepted at county landfills or transfer stations while officials develop a debris removal plan.

Stark said another storm could arrive Thursday and continue through the weekend, possibly matching the strength of the previous storm.

Farmington City Manager Shaña Reeves said residents who turn on breakers or start generators before utility crews clear damaged areas could endanger workers and neighbors. She said the transition from rescue operations to recovery was also being managed to secure as much disaster funding as possible.

County officials reported that municipal drinking water remained safe in Farmington, Aztec and Bloomfield.

Farmington has shut its river intakes and is drawing water from Lake Farmington, which is 88% full, Public Works Director Angelique Maldonado said. She said saturated ground throughout the city was causing groundwater to surface and run off.

Bloomfield City Manager George Duncan said police were patrolling flooded neighborhoods around the clock to prevent looting.

The safety of private water wells remains unknown. San Juan County spokesman Devin Neeley said the county had asked the New Mexico Department of Health to test domestic wells.

Two county bridges on County Roads 5500 and 6675 remain closed pending inspections that could begin Monday. County Road 7900 is closed at mile marker 9 at Escavada Wash, and County Road 7730 also remains closed.

The Shiprock Bridge has reopened.

Navajo Nation officials did not attend Sunday’s briefing. Neeley said they remained occupied with flood response efforts as the San Juan River flowed at nearly 44,000 cubic feet per second at Four Corners.

He said the county had no current information from the Navajo Nation and referred inquiries to President Buu Nygren’s Saturday night briefing on Facebook.

Navajo Lake is about 62% full, with minimal water releases, Neeley said. He also reported that dams in southwestern Colorado were safe.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar of the New Mexico National Guard plan to tour damaged areas Monday and meet with local officials, first responders and families.

On Saturday, Lujan Grisham requested a federal emergency declaration that, if approved, would make at least $13.8 million available for debris removal and emergency protective measures, with additional funding sought for environmental cleanup.

The request covers San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola and Sandoval counties as well as Acoma, San Ildefonso, Zia and Laguna pueblos and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. It does not include the Navajo Nation.

County officials reported Sunday that the declaration remained pending.

The state’s emergency response has cost an estimated $4.5 million so far, with another $13.7 million in expenses projected over the next 48 hours, according to figures released Sunday by Lujan Grisham.

A statewide flooding emergency declared Sept. 30 made $3.75 million immediately available to counties.

About 58 National Guard members deployed to San Juan County Friday and Saturday with swift-water teams, boats and helicopters equipped with hoists. New Mexico State Police sent dive, tactical, bomb squad and search-and-rescue teams. A swift-water team from Texas is also assisting.

San Juan College will open a disaster recovery center Monday, Oct. 26, at the Quality Center for Business, 5101 College Blvd. in Farmington. Several agencies will provide assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, according to college president Toni Hopper Pendergrass.

The emergency shelter at McGee Park still has room, she said.

All Central Consolidated School District schools will be closed Monday, Oct. 26, and Tuesday, Oct. 27, because of flooding, road closures and utility disruptions. The district announced there would be no in-person or remote classes either day.

The district identified Shiprock High School’s auxiliary gym and Mesa Elementary School’s gym and cafeteria as daytime shelters for affected families. Both are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Officials had no information on other school districts.

Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said the 211-information line had been overwhelmed by calls, but additional operators had been added. He asked residents to use 911 only for emergencies and people who do not live in flooded areas to stay away so they do not obstruct emergency crews.

Officials plan another briefing at noon Monday. It will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.

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