Luján and Leger Fernández Visit Bloomfield, Aztec, and Shiprock to Assess Severe Weather and Flood Damage, Meet with Local Officials and First Responders

NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) visited Bloomfield, Aztec, and Shiprock to assess damage caused by recent flooding in San Juan County, meet with local officials and first responders, and discuss ongoing recovery efforts.

Over the past week, San Juan County has experienced historic flooding that has caused widespread damage across the region. According to the National Weather Service, approximately 1,500 homes and buildings were impacted by recent flooding in San Juan County. Despite the widespread damage, local officials have reported no deaths or missing persons as a result of the flooding.

“Over the past week, residents of San Juan County have been devastated by historic flooding and deserve the support and resources they need to recover,” said Senator Luján. “I’m grateful to the first responders, local officials, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to keep residents safe during these dangerous conditions and continue to assist with recovery efforts. Seeing the damage firsthand and hearing directly from local leaders is critical to understanding what federal assistance I can help deliver. I will continue working with local, state, federal, and Tribal partners to support recovery efforts and ensure San Juan County has the resources it needs to rebuild.”

“I traveled to the communities in San Juan County to hear directly from the fire and rescue personnel who worked through the night and through the floods to rescue everyone they could,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “We met with people whose homes were flooded and didn’t have anywhere to stay. We witnessed the flooded farmlands and heard the worry about the contaminants that might take seasons to clean up. The immediate emergency response is critical, but we must also address the lasting damage to farmland, water, and infrastructure. They need our support and we will stand with them every step of the way for as long as it takes to recover. We will continue to push the President to release the disaster funding needed to help these communities recover.”

In Bloomfield, Senator Luján and Representative Leger Fernández met with Mayor John Mohler and first responders to discuss and see the impacts of the recent flooding. Following in Aztec, Senator Luján and Representative Leger Fernández met with San Juan County leadership and first responders at the county’s Emergency Operations Center to receive a briefing on the recent flooding and response efforts. During the meeting, they discussed the impacts of the flooding, evacuation efforts that helped keep residents safe, and how their offices can support ongoing recovery efforts.

Senator Luján and Representative Leger Fernández also visited areas in Shiprock impacted by recent flooding to see the damage firsthand, including impacts to communities on the Navajo Nation. During the visit, they discussed the ongoing recovery efforts and the resources needed to help affected communities recover.

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