A historic and catastrophic flood on the San Juan River forced residents to evacuate and left some individuals stranded on rooftops in the Shiprock area during the overnight hours of Friday night and early Saturday morning, October 24, 2026.
Rising River Levels
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren reported that river levels on the San Juan River reached an estimated 23 feet during the overnight hours of Friday night and early Saturday morning, October 24, 2026. Projections indicated the river would reach a level of 21.79 feet during the mid-morning hours of Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Infrastructure and Road Closures
The flooding caused significant disruptions to local infrastructure. The Bisti Bridge at NM 371 and the Nenahnezad Bridge were reported closed, with no through traffic permitted at closed bridges. While the Shiprock Bridge was reopened as of 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, other areas faced ongoing challenges.
Evacuations in Utah Communities
In Utah, the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management issued a notice of evacuation at 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the communities of Bluff, Montezuma Creek, and Aneth. The department estimated that 150 people would be evacuated from the Montezuma Creek and Aneth communities alone.
Emergency Response Coordination
Emergency response efforts involved the Navajo Nation Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and emergency management officials. EMS crews established operations with prepositioned ambulances to provide medical assistance to those in need.
Shelter and Relocation Efforts
Shelter operations were impacted by the rising waters. The Dine Christian Center was closed due to the flood, and residents who were at that shelter were relocated to the LDS Church near Shiprock. In Utah, a shelter was established at the Aneth Community School located at 162 San Juan County Rd. #466 in Montezuma Creek.
Resident Preparedness
Authorities advised residents to be prepared to be away from their homes for multiple days and to bring essential items including medications, identification, important documents, and personal hygiene items.
Command Operations
The incident command post for the evacuation efforts was located at the Montezuma Creek EMS Station.
