Three dead after flooding inundates Navajo Nation in New Mexico

By Brian Osgood and The Associated Press. Published On 17 Sep 202617 Sep 2026.

Key points

• Heavy rainfall is predicted throughout parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah through Thursday.
• The service repeated those warnings on Wednesday, noting that moisture levels are projected to be at record levels for mid-September.
• "However, flash flooding could occur anywhere in central and northern New Mexico today."
• To the family, relatives, and loved ones who are grieving today, we offer our deepest condolences.

According to Indigenous authorities in the United States have, three residents 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 remarked on Wednesday that police had responded to reports of residents being swept away by floodwater at 12: 30am (06: 30 GMT) near the community of Newcomb in northwestern New Mexico.

According to Nygren, 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 remarked. "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 tough days ahead."

For context, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, issued a special briefing on Tuesday warning of the possibility of widespread thunderstorms over the next few days. The service repeated those warnings on Wednesday, noting that moisture levels are projected 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 remarked in a social media post on Wednesday. "However, flash flooding could occur anywhere in central and northern New Mexico today."

Heavy rainfall is predicted throughout 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 sizeable areas of central and northern Arizona.

In practice, the deaths on Wednesday come a number of 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.

For now, three dead after flooding inundates Navajo Nation in New Mexico remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.