100-year rain event led to La Union dam erosion, flooding homes of 42 residents
UPDATE, Aug. 13: The Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners met in an emergency session late Friday afternoon to request that New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declare a state of emergency due to severe flooding in La Union resulting from dam erosion due to heavy rainfall.
Initially officials said the dam had failed, but upon review in the daylight it was determined that the dam overflowed. Crews worked Friday to reinforce the dam wall with the prospect of up to three more inches of rain in the forecast.
The Marin family's home was infiltrated by floodwater in the heart of La Union.
"Nothing like this has ever happened to us," said Briana Barrón, whose sister's home was damaged by the rainwater.
In all, Sheriff Kim Stewart said 42 residents were affected by the flooding so far - and deputies were making plans for further evacuations if needed.
Officials said 2 1/2 inches of rain fell in La Union over a 2-hour period Thursday night, calling it a 100-year flood event that the dam was never designed to handle.
On Friday, Skyler Gray helped his brother try and recover four cars from the shoulder of the road.
"Around 8 p.m., we saw a lot of the flooding start," Gray said. "The truck started to sink down and we started to get worried. After that, we got evacuated."
Mauro Mendoza also watched his truck get sink into the mud. He told ABC-7 he has just $100 in his bank account to clear his property of mud.
"Messed up my car and my truck," Mendoza said. "I can't get them out."
STATE OF EMERGENCY: As we speak, the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners are asking @GovMLG to declare a state of emergency in La Union after extreme flooding. MORE: https://t.co/D9jor6uZWc pic.twitter.com/CSaTOgduS6
— Kate Bieri (@KateBieri) August 13, 2021
ORIGINAL REPORT, Aug. 12: LA UNION, New Mexico -- Several southern New Mexico communities were overwhelmed by flood waters Thursday night as a result of thunderstorms in the region that produced heavy rains and caused the La Union dam to fail, prompting authorities to open up a shelter for evacuees.
The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department said there were reports of "significant flooding" in La Union as well as some flooding in Anthony and Vado too. An ABC-7 viewer in La Union said the dam rupture sent a deluge of water pouring down the streets of town.
"Stay out of these areas tonight," the sheriff tweeted.
The Gadsden Independent School District said a shelter had been opened in Anthony for those families forced from their homes due to the flooding. Assistance was being offered at the Anthony Elementary School at 600 4th Street.
GISD said school was cancelled Friday for La Union Elementary students and staff due to the floods, and for everyone else in the district there would be a two-hour delay.
