VIDEO: The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is prepositioning equipment and personnel in areas expected to experience flash flooding this week. Heavy rainfall and increasing flash flood risk are expected across the state. Burn scar areas will be at โhighโ or โvery highโ risk for flooding through Wednesday, according to DHSEM.
โWeโve all seen how quickly rainfall can become dangerous โ especially in burn scar areas โ so we are leaning forward to make sure we have the resources in place to rapidly and effectively respond to any potential flash flooding emergencies,โ Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the NM National Guard and interim cabinet secretary of DHSEM, stated in a news release.
Swift water teams from Sandoval County, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and the New Mexico National Guard will be stationed near communities that are forecast to experience burn scar flooding.
DHSEM has also coordinated the delivery of sandbags to Grant County and Village of Ruidoso and is preparing more to fill any other request that comes from local emergency managers. Residents in need of sandbags should check with municipal or county officials for pickup locations.
