Sandbags were moving quickly across Doña Ana County Tuesday as communities responded to flooding already affecting area roads — with some of the heaviest rain still potentially ahead.
Sources: Doña Ana County, Mesilla Fire Department, City of Anthony NM Police Department, Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch, N.M. Department of Transportation, Las Cruces Fire
Doña Ana County, Las Cruces, Anthony and Mesilla were among local governments distributing sandbags Tuesday as a prolonged period of heavy rain moved across southern New Mexico.
The National Weather Service’s Flood Watch remains in effect through Wednesday evening across south-central and southwestern New Mexico. Forecasters said the most critical period for heavy rainfall is expected Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as an early-season cold front interacts with deep tropical moisture.
Repeated thunderstorms could concentrate over the same areas, increasing rainfall totals and the potential for street flooding, overflowing creeks and streams, and problems at low-water crossings.
The effects were already becoming visible Tuesday. Doña Ana County Public Safety reported flooding affecting roads across the county and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The New Mexico Department of Transportation also warned motorists to expect rapidly changing conditions, including standing water, debris, reduced visibility and possible road closures.
Meanwhile, demand for sandbags was substantial.
In Mesilla, the Fire Department reported that approximately 300 sandbags had already been distributed before crews began a third round of filling. Later Tuesday, the department reported that it had run out of sand. Mesilla Mayor Russell Hernandez was among those photographed helping fill bags as supplies were distributed.
Where sandbags are available
Doña Ana County is offering residents up to 10 unfilled sandbags per household, while supplies last. Residents are responsible for filling the bags.
County distribution locations include:
- Anthony City Hall, 820 Highway 478 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Hatch City Hall, 133 N. Franklin St. — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fire Station 7, 6900 Moongate Road
- Fire Station 11, 601 Doña Ana School Road
- Fire Station 17, 1510 Wells St.
- Fire Station 31, 255 Harlins St.
- Fire Station 41, 15765 Highway 28
- Fire Station 42, 3230 Anthony Drive
- Fire Station 44, 500 E. Lisa Drive
- Fire Station 55, 8014 Airport Road
In Las Cruces, sandbags are available at city fire stations, although the Las Cruces Fire Department said high demand has required supplies to be continually replenished. The city is limiting distribution to five bags per vehicle.
Additional Las Cruces-area bags are available through the Doña Ana County Office of Emergency Management, 1170 N. Solano Drive, Suite O, and Las Cruces Public Works, 1501 E. Hadley Ave.
In Anthony, bags and dirt for filling are available at City Hall, with a limit of 10 bags per household. The city said older residents and people unable to pick up or fill their own bags may call City Hall at 575-777-1768 to discuss assistance.
Availability may change as supplies are distributed.
Using the bags
Emergency officials caution that sandbags are intended to divert water away from vulnerable openings such as doorways — not to construct a dike around an entire property.
Guidance distributed by Anthony recommends filling bags only about two-thirds full, leaving enough room for the sand to move inside. Bags should be laid in overlapping, staggered rows, with each bag covering the unfilled portion of the one below it. Plastic sheeting beneath the bags can help reduce seepage when available.
Residents should also avoid arranging sandbags in a way that could block their own exit from a building.
The rain isn’t finished
The Weather Service said several rounds of thunderstorms with torrential downpours remain possible through Wednesday evening. The greatest concern extends from near and east of the Continental Divide through the Tularosa Basin and Sacramento Mountains.
For Doña Ana County, the immediate concern remains flooded streets, arroyos, low-water crossings and other poorly drained areas.
Drivers should not attempt to cross flooded roads or drive around barricades. The New Mexico Department of Transportation warned that water can conceal a damaged or washed-out roadway and that normally dry arroyos can fill rapidly even when rain is falling some distance away.
Current state highway conditions are available through NM Roads.
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