Three people — two adults and a child — were killed after being swept away by floodwaters near Newcomb in northwestern New Mexico, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said on Wednesday. Police responded to reports of people in the water at about 12:30am local time, or 06:30 GMT.
Weather alerts remained in force
The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque warned of widespread thunderstorms and said moisture levels were expected to reach record levels for mid-September. It issued a Flash Flood Watch for the western third of New Mexico and the South Central Mountains on Wednesday.
The weather service said flash flooding could occur anywhere in central and northern New Mexico. Heavy rainfall was forecast across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah through Thursday, while flash flood warnings covered parts of northwestern New Mexico and watches covered large areas of central and northern Arizona. Read the context: Severe weather brings flash floods, tornado warnings, and power cuts to north-east US.
Authorities urged caution
Nygren offered condolences to the families and community and advised residents to exercise caution in areas affected by rainfall.
Earlier flooding at the Grand Canyon
The deaths occurred several weeks after three hikers were swept away and dozens of people were rescued when heavy rainfall caused flooding at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
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