The post People Killed After Being Swept Away by Floodwaters on Navajo Nation first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
Three people, including a juvenile, died after being swept away by floodwaters near Newcomb on the Navajo Nation in northwestern New Mexico early Wednesday, September 16, authorities said. The Navajo Police Department’s Shiprock District received a report at about 12:30 a.m. that floodwater had carried people away in the Two Grey Hills area. Search and rescue crews later found two adults and a juvenile who had died in the incident.
The deaths occurred as heavy rain and thunderstorms caused flooding across parts of the Navajo Nation. Roads, washes, and other low-lying areas were affected, while emergency crews responded to several incidents in different communities.
Authorities have not publicly released details about exactly how the three people entered the floodwater or whether a vehicle was involved. The drownings remain under investigation. The Navajo Nation has also asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as relatives and community members mourn the loss.
Where Did the Deadly Flooding Happen?
The fatal incident occurred near the community of Newcomb in northwestern New Mexico, in the Two Grey Hills area of the Navajo Nation. Newcomb is located in the northern part of the Navajo Nation, close to the New Mexico-Colorado state line. The area includes remote roads and washes that can become hazardous during periods of heavy rain.
According to the Navajo Times, responders encountered flooded washes and muddy roads while trying to reach the area during the overnight search. In some places, rescue personnel had to turn around because conditions made the route unsafe.
Search and Rescue Crews Faced Dangerous Conditions
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The overnight response required several emergency organizations to work together in difficult weather and road conditions. The Navajo Nation said personnel from the Newcomb and Shiprock fire stations, Navajo EMS, and 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue joined the Navajo Police Department in the search. President Nygren thanked the responders for working through the early morning hours under dangerous conditions.
The Navajo Times reported that rescuers encountered muddy roads and flooded washes. Search personnel assessed road conditions before proceeding, and they abandoned at least one route because the wash could not be crossed safely. Those conditions also illustrate why a flooded road can remain dangerous even when it looks passable. Water can cover the road surface, weaken or remove the roadbed, and conceal debris or other hazards.
The National Weather Service warns that moving floodwater can also exert enough force to knock people down or move vehicles. Its guidance cited by the Navajo Times says about 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult down, while about 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars. About 2 feet of moving water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
Flooding Affected Other Parts of the Navajo Nation
The deaths near Newcomb occurred during a broader flooding emergency across the Navajo Nation. Before the fatal incident, Navajo Nation officials were already coordinating rescue operations in other communities. In Chinle, water levels had begun to fall, but local personnel were still working on an earthen dam. The Chinle Chapter House was also being considered as a possible emergency shelter because a facility in Many Farms was unavailable.
Flooding also affected roads and communities in Arizona and New Mexico. The Navajo Times reported damage and closures involving several roads, including U.S. Highway 160 near Dennehotso, Arizona, where floodwater damaged the roadway. Navajo Route 30 near Mexican Springs, New Mexico, was also closed after a washout, while other routes were affected by mud, standing water, and erosion.
Arizona’s official 511 road-alert system reported that U.S. 160 was closed in both directions east of Kayenta following heavy rain and roadway damage near Dennehotso. The alert said there was no estimated reopening time at the time of the update.
The road damage adds another layer to the emergency. For residents of rural communities, road closures can affect access to homes, workplaces, schools, medical services and major highways. Navajo Department of Transportation officials said crews generally could not begin permanent repairs while water was still flowing or pooled or while the ground remained heavily saturated. The department said it would prioritize public safety and isolated families without road access as conditions allowed.
Latest Navajo Nation Flooding Updates
Flooding remains a developing situation, and road conditions can change as additional rainfall moves through the region. As of the latest reports, Navajo Nation and transportation officials have been dealing with damaged and flooded roads in several areas. U.S. Highway 160 near Dennehotso remained closed, according to the latest Arizona 511 alert, while Navajo transportation crews assessed and responded to damage across the reservation.
Additional weather watches were also issued across parts of the Four Corners region as storms continued to threaten areas with saturated ground. Anyone traveling through the Navajo Nation should check current road and weather information before departure. Conditions in flood-prone areas can change faster than road crews can inspect or repair damaged routes.
The loss of three people near Newcomb has brought renewed attention to the danger posed by moving floodwater, particularly in rural areas where roads and washes can become hazardous with little warning. The investigation into the deaths continues, while emergency and transportation agencies remain focused on protecting residents and restoring access where flooding has damaged roads and infrastructure.
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