Heavy rains over the weekend caused the Rio Puerco to swell rapidly, flooding the small community of Bernardo in Socorro County. The sudden rise of water forced the evacuation of 15 residents, shut down Highway 60, and tragically claimed one life.

Residents describe the rapid onset

“I’ve never seen anything like this amount of water – it came so fast,” said Aubrey Alguire, a longtime Bernardo resident whose grandparents have lived in the area for more than 50 years. Alguire received an emergency alert text at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, followed by an evacuation notice less than an hour later. “It sucks that someone has to pass to try to find safety,” she added, expressing frustration that no county representative had reached out since the evacuation began.

County response and challenges

Socorro County Emergency Manager Fred Berger explained that the river’s rapid rise left little time for pre‑emptive action. “Unfortunately, this was a very rapid rise of the river levels in that area,” Berger said. County officials confirmed that limited financial resources are hampering immediate recovery efforts. “We’re looking at FEMA funding and state funding,” Berger noted. “Socorro doesn’t have the funds to maintain all of these areas that have been affected.”

Recovery outlook

Residents remain eager to return home, but many are coping with emotional loss. “I know it’s just a building, but my kids helped build their house. It’s hard,” Alguire said. County officials have advised residents to wait until the expected rain this weekend passes before attempting to re‑enter their homes.

Local leaders are coordinating with state and federal agencies to secure disaster assistance. The county plans to submit a request for a federal disaster declaration, which would unlock additional resources for debris removal, temporary housing, and infrastructure repairs.

Community concerns

Beyond the immediate physical damage, the flooding has raised questions about communication protocols and emergency preparedness. Residents like Alguire are calling for clearer, more timely updates from county officials during future incidents.

As recovery efforts continue, the community of Bernardo hopes that the combined support of local, state, and federal partners will help rebuild homes and restore the sense of safety that was lost during the flood.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.