Navajo Nation flash floods leave 3 dead: What we know

Key Points:

• Three people, including two adults and a child, died after being swept away by floodwaters in Newcomb, New Mexico, within the Navajo Nation, following heavy monsoon rains and widespread thunderstorms on Sept. 16.
• The Navajo Police Department responded to the incident early morning and confirmed the victims were pronounced dead at the scene; the investigation is ongoing and the victims have not been identified.
• Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren urged residents to stay alert due to continued rain and flooding risks across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, with flash flood watches in effect and significant damage reported to roads and infrastructure in several Navajo communities.
• Evacuations were carried out in flood-prone areas such as Chinle, Arizona, where schools were canceled and emergency shelters are being evaluated, while residents are advised to avoid flooded roads and allow emergency responders to operate safely.
• The deadly flooding on Navajo Nation follows a recent flash flood in the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Canyon in late August that killed two people, left one missing, and caused extensive damage to park infrastructure and hiking routes.