Flash flood emergency issued, evacuation orders for dam break in northwest Doña Ana County

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The National Weather Service has issued an urgent warning for residents to seek higher ground as a dam northwest of Hatch, New Mexico is in danger of failing from heavy rains Tuesday afternoon. County officials have also issued an evacuation warning for nearby towns.

According to the emergency notice, the flash flood warning was issued due to the potential break of the McLeod Dam. Operators of the dam reported the imminent failure of the dam, with the possibility of catastrophic damage and life threatening situations in the path of the water.

The alert is in place until 4:45 p.m. Anyone in low lying areas below the dam are instructed to move to higher ground immediately.

Doña Ana County issued an evacuation notice for the towns of Salem and Garfield in the area.

The county has set up an evacuation center for those needing shelter at the Radium Springs Community Resource Center at 12060 Lindbeck Rd.  

The American Red Cross will be providing services there.

The county has added another evacuation center at the Doña Ana Community Resource Center, located at 5745 Ledesma Drive.

According to the county, residents who are evacuating should take essential medications, identification, important documents, necessary supplies and items for children and pets.