N.M. Delegation Urges Trump to Approve Disaster Declaration for Severe Flooding in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola, & Sandoval Counties; Acoma, San Ildefonso, Zia, & Laguna Pueblos; & Jicarilla Apache Nation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) urged President Trump to take immediate action on the State of New Mexico’s request for an emergency declaration in response to severe flooding that started on October 22nd in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola, and Sandoval Counties, as well as Acoma Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache Nation, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, and Laguna Pueblo.

“We ask that you expeditiously grant the declaration and make this federal assistance available as soon as possible for the State and impacted communities to have all the resources they need to continue to protect life, public health, and safety as the threat of additional flooding remains active,” the N.M. Congressional Delegation wrote to President Trump.

Since October 22nd, monsoonal storms increased levels on the San Juan River, Rio Chama, and Animas River to historical thresholds. The resulting flooding is estimated to have affected 160,000 residents, necessitating several evacuation orders and at least 30 swift water rescue operations. Initial assessments indicate as many as 18,000 homes may be underwater in San Juan County alone. The combined estimates for the cost of the emergency response, at the time of the State’s request, was already $4.5 million; an additional $13.7 million is projected for the coming days.

River levels precipitating the flood are historic, with the National Weather Service reporting rises in the San Juan River measuring at 14.07 feet at Farmington, exceeding the 12-foot major flood threshold, and at 16 feet at Shiprock, where river levels are expected to exceed 23 feet. The gages measuring river levels were destroyed by the volume and speed of floodwaters after those reports. The San Juan River is at its highest level since at least 1909, and the National Weather Service is also predicting additional rainfall and continued impacts through the weekend.

Additionally, the State of New Mexico is responding to this severe flooding while continuing to manage the effects of another critical flood event that began last month. Both events are severely straining local and state response capabilities, as they are drawing on the same personnel, equipment, and financial resources and overwhelming the State’s ability to response and recover. Direct Federal Assistance is desperately needed for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance with debris removal, damage assessments, and technical evaluation of damaged infrastructure, U.S. Geological Survey assistance with flood monitoring, modeling, and emergency analysis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistance with drinking water testing and technical support, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for large-scale mass care, sheltering, and the direct distribution of essential resources, including drinking water.

The lawmakers continued, “Public Assistance Category A and B funding is urgently needed for emergency protective measures, including urban search-and-rescue operations, high water vehicles and air support to complete active rescue missions, and vacuum trucks, heavy equipment, and other machinery needed for debris removal reopen critical points of ingress and egress. Funding is also needed for personnel backfill, overtime, and operational support at emergency operations centers and the State Emergency Operations Center. Immediate federal assistance is of utmost urgency.”

“We urge you to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico’s request for an emergency declaration. It is imperative that the federal government provides direct and immediate assistance to support local and state efforts to respond to the historic and ongoing flooding,” the lawmakers concluded.

The full text of the letter is here and below:

Dear President Trump, 

We respectfully request that you take immediate action on the recent request for an emergency declaration from the State of New Mexico in response to the severe flooding that started on October 22, 2026. The State of New Mexico is requesting Public Assistance, Category A and B, and Direct Federal Assistance for San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola, and Sandoval Counties, as well as Acoma Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, and Laguna Pueblo. We ask that you expeditiously grant the declaration and make this federal assistance available as soon as possible for the State and impacted communities to have all the resources they need to continue to protect life, public health, and safety as the threat of additional flooding remains active. 

Since October 22, monsoonal storms increased levels on the San Juan River, Rio Chama, and Animas River to historical thresholds. The resulting flooding is estimated to have affected 160,000 residents, necessitating several evacuation orders and at least 30 swift water rescue operations. Initial assessments indicate as many as 18,000 homes may be underwater in San Juan County alone. The combined estimates for the cost of the emergency response, at the time of the State’s request, was already $4.5 million; an additional $13.7 million is projected for the coming days.

River levels precipitating the flood are historic, with the National Weather Service reporting rises in the San Juan River measuring at 14.07 feet at Farmington, exceeding the 12-foot major flood threshold, and at 16 feet at Shiprock, where river levels are expected to exceed 23 feet. The gages measuring river levels were destroyed by the volume and speed of floodwaters after those reports. The San Juan River is at its highest level since at least 1909, and the National Weather Service is also predicting additional rainfall and continued impacts through the weekend.

Additionally, the State of New Mexico is responding to this severe flooding while continuing to manage the effects of another critical flood event that began last month. Both events are severely straining local and state response capabilities, as they are drawing on the same personnel, equipment, and financial resources and overwhelming the State’s ability to response and recover. Direct Federal Assistance is desperately needed for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance with debris removal, damage assessments, and technical evaluation of damaged infrastructure, U.S. Geological Survey assistance with flood monitoring, modeling, and emergency analysis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistance with drinking water testing and technical support, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for large-scale mass care, sheltering, and the direct distribution of essential resources, including drinking water.

Public Assistance Category A and B funding is urgently needed for emergency protective measures, including urban search-and-rescue operations, high water vehicles and air support to complete active rescue missions, and vacuum trucks, heavy equipment, and other machinery needed for debris removal reopen critical points of ingress and egress. Funding is also needed for personnel backfill, overtime, and operational support at emergency operations centers and the State Emergency Operations Center. Immediate federal assistance is of utmost urgency. 

We urge you to act without delay and approve the State of New Mexico’s request for an emergency declaration. It is imperative that the federal government provides direct and immediate assistance to support local and state efforts to respond to the historic and ongoing flooding.  

Thank you for your consideration of this important request.

Sincerely,

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