New Mexico officials seek disaster declaration after flooding

Doña Ana County officials in New Mexico are seeking an emergency disaster declaration from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham following heavy rainfall that has caused significant infrastructure damage. Preliminary estimates from county emergency manager Amanda Bowen suggest at least $15 million in damages, though she noted this is likely a low estimate as assessments continue. The damage includes $9 million reported by the Elephant Butte Irrigation District and over $2.2 million within the City of Las Cruces.

The flooding, caused by late-season monsoons and remnants of Hurricane Polo, has impacted homes, businesses, roads, and utilities across Las Cruces and 11 other towns.

In the context of these climate-driven events, gubernatorial candidate and former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has emphasized the need for New Mexico to rethink its water management. Haaland highlighted the necessity of modernizing water infrastructure, improving groundwater conservation, and harnessing geothermal energy to address the state’s dwindling water supplies and the impacts of climate change.