Highlights
- Three people, including a child, died after floodwaters swept them away near Newcomb, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation early Wednesday.
- Navajo Police Department's Shiprock District responded around 12:30 a.m. following a day of heavy rain that left roads and other areas flooded.
- The National Weather Service warned of near-record moisture levels and excessive rainfall through Thursday across the Four Corners region, with flash flood watches in effect for much of central and northern Arizona.
- Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren urged the public to avoid flooded roadways and washes, warning that moving water can be dangerous even in familiar places.
Three people, including a child, died after floodwaters swept them away on the Navajo Nation early Wednesday, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren confirmed. Search-and-rescue teams responding to the Shiprock District near the community of Newcomb in northwestern New Mexico found two adults and a child dead after being called out overnight.
Navajo Police received reports of people swept away by floodwaters around 12:30 a.m., following a day of heavy rain that left roadways and other areas covered in standing water. More rain fell during the overnight hours. Authorities said the drownings were under investigation and released no further details about the circumstances.
Nygren offered condolences and thanked first responders. "There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly, and our hearts are especially heavy knowing that three lives were lost," Nygren said in a statement.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a special briefing Tuesday warning of numerous and widespread thunderstorms over the coming days, with moisture levels expected to be near record levels for mid-September. Excessive rainfall was predicted through Thursday across the Four Corners region. Flash flood warnings were in place for parts of northwestern New Mexico; a flash flood watch covered much of central and northern Arizona.
Nygren urged residents to stay away from flooded areas. "Please exercise extreme caution around flooded roadways, washes, and other areas affected by heavy rainfall," he said. "No destination is worth risking your life or the lives of those traveling with you."
The deaths follow flooding weeks earlier at the Grand Canyon, where three hikers were swept away and dozens more rescued after heavy rain sent water through Bright Angel Creek. The story was reported by azfamily.com and corroborated by ABC News and KTAR.
Flash flood watches remain in effect for central and northern Arizona through Thursday.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 17/09/2026 02:23
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 17/09/2026 02:23. Every claim traces to a source.
