Tragic Flooding Claims Lives of Three in New Mexico
WHO:
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - Three people are dead after being swept away by floodwaters on the Navajo Nation.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - Authorities reported the deaths of two adults and a child.
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren offered condolences and thanked first responders.
WHAT:
[6:35 AM EDT] - CBS News - Rainfall over Newcomb began Tuesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. and lingered intermittently until just after midnight, with around 0.5 inches to 1 inch of rain in total, most of it falling within an hour Tuesday evening.
[1:02 AM ET] - USA Today - Persistent showers and thunderstorms across the region are expected throughout Sept. 16 and into early Sept. 17.
[1:02 AM ET] - USA Today - Flash flood warnings were in effect for the "western third of New Mexico and the South Central Mountains."
[6:35 AM EDT] - CBS News - The National Weather Service noted that moisture levels were expected to be near record levels for mid-September.
[6:35 AM EDT] - CBS News - An active monsoon pattern was forecast to continue through Saturday, bringing a threat for heavy rain and flash flooding across New Mexico.
[6:35 AM EDT] - CBS News - In Arizona, forecasters issued a flash flood watch for much of the central and northern parts of the state.
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - Tribal police received a report about people being washed away near Newcomb, New Mexico.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - Search crews found the bodies of two adults and a child.
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - The drownings are under investigation.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - Flash flood warnings were in place for parts of northwestern New Mexico.
WHERE:
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - The incident occurred near the community of Newcomb in northwestern New Mexico.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - The flooding affected areas throughout the Four Corners region, including New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.
WHEN:
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - The flooding occurred early Wednesday.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - The National Weather Service issued warnings on Tuesday and reiterated them on Wednesday.
WHY:
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - The flooding followed a day of heavy rain that left roadways and other areas flooded with standing water.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - Excessive rainfall was predicted through Thursday.
HOW:
[1:02 AM ET] - USA Today - The Chinle Chapter House is being evaluated as a potential emergency shelter because the facility in nearby Many Farms is currently unavailable for sheltering.
[6:35 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Navajo Police Department released images of multiple damaged, flooded roads, stating that some streets "are currently impassable and drivers should not attempt to travel through the closure."
[12:30 AM] - CBS News - Search crews responded to the report of people being washed away.
[12:30 AM] - ABC News - The National Weather Service warned of numerous and widespread thunderstorms expected over the coming days.
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 15:59 UTC)
Rainfall over Newcomb began Tuesday afternoon and continued intermittently until just after midnight, accumulating between half an inch to one inch, with the majority falling within a single hour on Tuesday evening. Persistent showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the region into early September 17, prompting flash flood warnings for the western third of New Mexico and the South Central Mountains. In response to the situation, the Chinle Chapter House is being evaluated as a potential emergency shelter since the facility in nearby Many Farms is currently unavailable.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 13:06 UTC)
The National Weather Service has indicated that moisture levels are expected to reach near record highs for mid-September, with an active monsoon pattern continuing through Saturday, which poses a risk of heavy rain and flash flooding in New Mexico. In Arizona, forecasters have issued a flash flood watch for much of the central and northern regions of the state. Meanwhile, the Navajo Police Department has shared images of several damaged and flooded roads, warning that some streets are currently impassable and advising drivers to avoid traveling through those closures.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 11:00 UTC)
Tragically, three people, including two adults and a child, have died after being swept away by floodwaters on the Navajo Nation near Newcomb, New Mexico. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has expressed his condolences and gratitude to first responders as the search crews continue to investigate the drownings, which occurred following a day of heavy rain that led to flash flood warnings in the region. The National Weather Service has predicted excessive rainfall and widespread thunderstorms through Thursday, raising concerns for further flooding in northwestern New Mexico and surrounding areas.