Three dead after flooding inundates Navajo Nation in New Mexico

Native authorities issue condolences after two adults and a child swept away by floodwaters in southwestern US state.

A vehicle stops close to floodwaters near Chinle, Arizona on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 [Navajo Police Department/AP]

Indigenous authorities in the United States have said that three people have been killed in flooding in the southwestern state of New Mexico, where heavy rains left roadways blocked by water.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said on Wednesday that police had responded to reports of people being swept away by floodwater at 12:30am (06:30 GMT) near the community of Newcomb in northwestern New Mexico.

list 1 of 3 El Nino reaches super status: Where will it bring rain, drought and heat?

list 2 of 3 India to supply Nepal electricity after floods wrecked hydropower projects

list 3 of 3 US repeals rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions by power plants

Nygren said that two adults and a child were killed in the incident and offered condolences to the community, while advising residents to exercise caution in areas impacted by rainfall.

“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly, and our hearts are especially heavy knowing that three lives were lost,” Nygren said. “To the family, relatives, and loved ones who are grieving today, we offer our deepest condolences. We pray that you are surrounded by strength, comfort, and the love of your family and community in the difficult days ahead.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, issued a special briefing on Tuesday warning of the possibility of widespread thunderstorms in the coming days. The service repeated those warnings on Wednesday, noting that moisture levels are expected to be at record levels for mid-September.

“A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the western third of New Mexico and the South Central Mountains today,” NWS Albuquerque said in a social media post on Wednesday. “However, flash flooding could occur anywhere in central and northern New Mexico today.”

Heavy rainfall is predicted across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah through Thursday. Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of northwestern New Mexico, along with flash flood watches for large areas of central and northern Arizona.

The deaths on Wednesday come several weeks after three hikers were swept away and dozens were rescued after heavy rainfall caused flooding at the Grand Canyon, a popular destination for tourists and outdoor recreation in Arizona.

美国西南部某州两名成年人和一名儿童被洪水​​卷走后，当地政府表示哀悼。

2026年9月15日星期二，一辆汽车在亚利桑那州钦利附近的洪水边停了下来。[纳瓦霍警察局/美联社]

美国原住民当局表示，新墨西哥州西南部发生洪水，造成三人死亡，暴雨导致道路被洪水阻断。

纳瓦霍族主席布·尼格伦周三表示，警方已对凌晨 12:30（格林尼治标准时间 06:30）在新墨西哥州西北部纽科姆社区附近发生的洪水冲走人员的报告做出回应。

厄尔尼诺现象达到超级水平（共 3 个列表，第 1 个）：它将给哪些地区带来降雨、干旱和高温？

印度将在洪水摧毁尼泊尔水电项目后向尼泊尔供应电力（共3项，此为第2项）

美国废除限制发电厂温室气体排放规定的3项措施清单

尼格伦表示，事故造成两名成年人和一名儿童死亡，并向社区表示慰问，同时建议居民在受降雨影响的地区要谨慎行事。

“失去亲人的痛苦难以言表，得知有三位逝者离世，我们更是感到无比沉痛，”尼格伦说道。“对于今天正在经历丧亲之痛的家人、亲属和所有爱人，我们致以最深切的慰问。我们祈祷，在未来的艰难日子里，你们能感受到来自家人和社区的力量、慰藉和爱。”

位于新墨西哥州阿尔伯克基的国家气象局（NWS）周二发布特别简报，警告未来几天可能出现大范围雷暴天气。该局周三再次发出警告，并指出预计9月中旬的湿度将达到历史最高水平。

“今天，新墨西哥州西部三分之一的地区和中南部山区发布了山洪暴发预警，”美国国家气象局阿尔伯克基分局周三在社交媒体上发布消息称。“然而，今天新墨西哥州中部和北部任何地方都可能发生山洪暴发。”

预计亚利桑那州、新墨西哥州、科罗拉多州和犹他州部分地区将持续强降雨，直至周四。新墨西哥州西北部部分地区发布了山洪暴发预警，亚利桑那州中部和北部大片地区发布了山洪暴发观察预警。

周三发生的这起死亡事件，距离亚利桑那州大峡谷遭遇暴雨引发洪水，导致三名徒步旅行者被洪水冲走、数十人获救已过去数周。大峡谷是亚利桑那州的热门旅游和户外休闲目的地。