Heavy rainstorms that began just after 1 p.m. on Monday inundated streets throughout Gallup, leaving a trail of damage to residences, local businesses and municipal roadways. Residents called 911 as water surged into neighborhoods, prompting an immediate response from fire and emergency services.
Residents describe the impact
“A little bit after that we started getting 911 calls for flooding. People called Metro Dispatch for flooding in the streets throughout the afternoon,” said Fire Chief John Pairett.
Homeowners reported ruined carpeting and recent renovations that were undone by the water. One resident explained, “The carpet in the back, both bedrooms, just had this happen a week ago, a month ago, so I had just had the house repainted and replaced all my flooring.”
Local businesses also suffered. Elite Cleaners was heavily flooded, with sandbags offering only limited protection. Employees worked through Monday night to begin cleanup. “I do feel fortunate. It could be worse. This is the third time we’ve been hit this year, and it’s been really tough,” an employee said.
Another shop owner, assessing damage to his rug, said, “It’s pretty bad, you know. But I had a few times that happened. It came inside to the carpet. Maybe a couple feet. Yeah. Damage.”
City officials point to outdated drainage
City officials identified the aging drainage system as the primary cause of the flooding. Dirt arroyos that line many streets have become clogged during heavy rains, preventing water from flowing away quickly.
“That would be the goal, would be the concrete, all these. But that’s going to take many years,” a city official explained, noting that replacing the dirt arroyos with concrete channels would require state funding and a multi‑year timeline.
Next steps and community response
The city is now seeking assistance from the state government to secure the necessary funds for the concrete arroyo project. In the meantime, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant during future storms and to report any drainage issues promptly.
Community members are hopeful that state support will arrive soon, allowing Gallup to modernize its infrastructure and better protect homes and businesses from future flooding events.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
