Floods Force Evacuations in Vado

Severe Flooding in Vado Area Leads to Evacuations and Emergency Response

Late Tuesday night, July 22, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue responded to significant flooding in the Vado area. The incident led to evacuations and extensive search operations as residents were advised to leave their homes due to dangerous conditions.

The flooding was caused by heavy rainfall that resulted in over two inches of rain in the region. This deluge affected more than 600 homes, many of which experienced power outages. As a result, emergency crews were dispatched to assist those impacted by the storm. Power restoration efforts have already begun, with crews working in the area to address the outages. Residents are encouraged to report any power issues directly to their utility providers.

Search operations started early Wednesday morning, July 23, with emergency crews transporting at least 30 people to the Vado Community Center, located at 180 La Fe Avenue. This facility is serving as an emergency evacuation shelter. All individuals have since left the shelter, and two people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. No major injuries have been reported, and the search operations concluded around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

To support the community during this crisis, the County has set up a dedicated call center to answer questions and connect residents to available resources. The call center operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached by dialing 211.

Emergency crews worked tirelessly to ensure all residents were accounted for and provided assistance to those in need of rescue or medical attention. Doña Ana Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Cody Haver emphasized the scale of the operation, stating, “This is a large-scale operation, and we’re working closely with our partners to make sure homes are checked and no one is left behind.”

Five emergency rescue units were deployed to the area to help with transportation to local hospitals and to assist emergency crews. Additionally, officials helped manage traffic in affected areas and are addressing priority roadway concerns.

The Doña Ana County Emergency Operations Center has transitioned to recovery coordination, working with local partners to assess the damage. Crews will begin initial damage assessments on Wednesday. Residents are urged to avoid flooded areas, including closed roads and irrigation canals. Those experiencing non-life-threatening flooding or utility issues are encouraged to contact the non-emergency dispatch line at (575) 526-0795.

Damage reports can be submitted online via the Rapid Property Damage Assessment tool. Multiple agencies collaborated in the response, including Doña Ana Fire Rescue, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the Las Cruces Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team, the American Red Cross, Elephant Butte Irrigation District, the Doña Ana County Flood Commission, New Mexico National Guard, and the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

In addition, the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso has been in constant communication with local officials to support the Mexican community in the region. For emergencies, residents can call (915) 549-0003. To reach the consulate, call (915) 747-3234. For assistance from the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans (CIAM), contact (520) 623-7874.