Northern Doa Ana County overwhelmed with flooding

Neighborhoods in northern Doña Ana County were overwhelmed with flooding Wednesday night, with some homes and yards flooded with at least four feet of water.

“It’s a problem that needs to be solved,” said Mark Sale, who lives near the intersection of Doña Ana and Lujan Hill Roads.

Sale estimated that his property had “tens of thousands of gallons” of water on his property, including what flooded his basement.

“When rain hits just right, it will flood this road, and I’ve done everything I can,” Sale said.

Sale’s friend, Les Williamson, drove over from Mesilla to assist him.

“Well, I’d just like to urge the powers that be to find a way to divert water from these properties here,” said Les Williamson.

The Hill Baptist Church was also hit extremely hard.

“We’re just chasing this water,” said Danny Galaz, who works for Elephant Butte Irrigation District. “You know, I mean, it only get worse from here because these poor people out here, they have no drain system to get this water out.”

Galaz had been working since 1 a.m. to remedy the flooding.

“I would hate to be in these people’s situations,” Galaz said. “I can only imagine what they’re going through right now.”

“This area is historically prone to flooding,” said Jess Williams, a spokesman for the county.

Williams said there is not much the county can do.

The only authority the county has to respond is to clear the roadway and to pump the roadway,” Williams said.

However, residents are still frustrated.

“The Elephant Butte Irrigation District and the county are aware of it, but they don’t seem to be able to do anything to solve it,” Sale said.