Flooding isolates 12 homes in San Francisco, New Mexico, after Rio Puerco overflows
An overflowing Rio Puerco leaves residents with limited travel options after a road became submerged.
SOCORRO COUNTY, N.M. —
Twelve homes in San Francisco, New Mexico, remain isolated after the Rio Puerco overflowed late Friday night into Saturday morning, flooding the main access road and creating sinkholes.
“More than likely I’m going to have to call out, so that’s less money in my pockets,” said Chris Mora, a resident affected by the flooding.
The Rio Puerco has been flowing since monsoon storms began weeks ago, and additional water from areas west and north of Highway 60 has worsened the situation.
“We’re getting flooded by all the water that comes from Acoma, Grants, Cuba — anything to the west and north of Highway 60,” said Chris Lopez, a lifelong resident. “[When] it rains over there, it comes to us from the [Rio Puerco].”
Efforts to divert water into trenches and ponds have been made, but Lopez expressed concern about the limitations of these measures.
“But once those ponds get full, the water has nowhere else to go but come to us. We’re in trouble,” Lopez said.
Residents are worried about reliving past flooding incidents.
“Twenty years ago, we got flooded. It ruined our house that we’ve had in the family for 100 years,” Lopez said.
The rising water levels have also raised concerns about emergency access.
“If we had an emergency out here, how would emergency services come in here and rescue anybody or help the people?” Lopez said.
Driving an ATV through the submerged road or taking a hazardous 20-minute detour are two of the safer options for residents leaving the area.
“[Ramon Lopez Road] is closed down due to some sinkholes that we’ve had,” said Adam Steinke, the fire chief for the North County Fire District in Socorro County.
The fire chief emphasized that road repairs cannot begin until the area dries out.
“This whole area here is going to have to dry out. The pothole or the sinkholes have to be dried out, so no water going through it,” he said.
Neighbors, the Socorro County Fire District and New Mexico Game and Fish are working to divert water away from homes, but residents remain concerned about the challenges ahead.
Residents are calling on regional and state conservancy departments for more assistance.
