Shiprock residents have opened two evacuation sites as the San Juan River heads toward a projected 20.7-foot crest. According to a October 22 report, the National Weather Service expects the river to reach this peak late Saturday morning.
The Navajo Police Department said Friday that Shiprock residents can evacuate to Power House Church or First Baptist Church, which is located behind Nataani Nez Restaurant. Additionally, McGee Park is being used to shelter people and their pets. The San Juan County Office of Emergency Management has urged people along the river to evacuate now, while police advised those in flood-prone areas to be prepared to evacuate immediately if directed.
The river at Shiprock stood at 17.3 feet at 10 p.m. Friday, which is above the 15.5-foot flood stage. While the crest forecast was lowered to 20.7 feet from an earlier projection of 23.1 feet, the river is expected to fall below flood stage early Sunday morning. In other areas, NM 371 is closed in both directions between mile markers 103 and 107 due to flooding over the bridge, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Upriver, the National Weather Service characterized the flooding on the San Juan River at Farmington as a flood of record. The river stood at 14.1 feet at 11 a.m. Friday, surpassing the previous 1909 crest of 12.3 feet. Meanwhile, the Animas River at Farmington is expected to crest at 12.1 feet late Saturday evening, with water levels reaching heights not seen since the flood of 1927.
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office requested that the public avoid flying drones near flooded areas, stating that drones are hindering emergency response and that grounded drones would allow helicopter teams to respond more quickly. For emergencies, officials advised calling 911, while non-emergencies in the Eastern districts can be reported to the Navajo police at (505) 354-5210.
