Overview:
Three families were temporarily evacuated from the Nizhoni Park area of Shiprock Friday as rising San Juan River waters flooded the area near the San Juan Bridge.
Three families were temporarily evacuated Friday as rising water from the San Juan River flooded areas near Nizhoni Park and the San Juan Bridge in Shiprock, New Mexico on the Navajo Nation.
Heavy rainfall earlier Friday in the Farmington area sent runoff downstream into the San Juan River, causing water levels to rise in Shiprock. Nizhoni Park, on the east side of the San Juan Bridge, was among the areas most impacted by the flooding.
The Navajo Police Department’s Shiprock District issued a temporary evacuation notice at approximately 3:41 p.m., directing residents in the affected area to leave their homes because of rising water and flooding near the bridge.
The three evacuated families were directed to shelter temporarily at the Catholic Center Bingo Hall in Shiprock.
The Navajo Police Department and Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue Services notified residents along the San Juan River about the runoff moving through the area.
Authorities urged community members not to take unnecessary risks that could endanger themselves or first responders. Residents were specifically warned not to stop on the San Juan Bridge to take photographs or videos and to stay away from flooded and fast-moving water.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Friday for the San Juan River at Shiprock. At 2 p.m., the river stood at 15.6 feet, above its 15.5-foot flood stage, and was forecast to rise to approximately 16.5 feet shortly after midnight.
NMDOT personnel were also on scene monitoring the San Juan Bridge and roadway.
The flooding comes as the Navajo Nation continues to deal with widespread impacts from heavy rainfall and flooding. Earlier this week, three people died in a flooding incident near Newcomb, prompting renewed warnings from Navajo Nation officials about the dangers of rapidly moving water.
Officials continue to urge residents to avoid crossing flooded roadways and to follow instructions from emergency personnel.
