New Mexico heavy rain and flash flooding prompt mandatory evacuations

LAS VEGAS, NM — Warnings of heavy rain and flash flooding in New Mexico prompted officials to order a number of mandatory evacuations, with shelters set up for displaced residents.

The National Weather Service office declared a flash flood emergency from Friday evening through early Saturday. The affected areas include the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico and communities near Albuquerque.

Up to 5 inches of rain had fallen by late Friday, with up to 3.8 inches of additional rain expected overnight, the weather service said.

There was flash flooding with multiple road closures on the north and west sides of Las Vegas, the weather service said.

The Las Vegas municipal government announced mandatory evacuations of parts of the city in social media posts, warning residents to prepare for overnight stays. The city said it has set up shelters for residents on the west and east sides of the city.

The city government asked residents to limit non-essential water use, while also clarifying that online rumors suggesting the city’s water dams were broken were false and that the dams “are currently intact.”

New Mexico also suffered devastating forest fires this week, at least two people were killed and thousands were forced to flee the flames. The South Fork and Salt fires in south-central New Mexico destroyed or damaged an estimated 1,400 structures. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham planned to tour the disaster area on Saturday.