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'Once in a generation' flood event impacts San Juan County
KOAT • • nation
Key Points:
- Severe flooding in northern New Mexico has led to evacuations in San Juan County, including Farmington and Bloomfield, with a severe thunderstorm watch issued statewide through Friday evening.
- The San Juan River has overflowed, causing widespread flooding that submerged cars, inundated homes, and forced residents onto rooftops for rescue by the New Mexico National Guard and State Police.
- At least 60 flood rescues have been conducted since Thursday afternoon, including a dramatic helicopter evacuation of a family stranded on a rooftop in Bloomfield.
- Floodwaters have forced the shutdown of the Bloomfield Water Reclamation Plant, resulting in untreated wastewater being released into the San Juan River and prompting officials to urge water conservation.
- Rescue teams faced significant challenges reaching an infant experiencing seizures near Chaco Canyon due to washed-out roads and grounded helicopters but ultimately evacuated the family on foot for medical care.
