On Oct. 25, the Rio Puerco burst its banks in Socorro County, New Mexico, flooding dozens of homes and prompting the evacuation of nine families. Local emergency officials acted quickly, issuing emergency notifications that gave residents roughly thirty minutes to seek safety.
Families displaced and the human toll
Stephanie Lopez was among those forced to leave her property. “We were given an emergency notification. Literally, probably 30 minutes before the flood got too high,” Lopez recalled. She captured the rising waters on video the night before the evacuation, showing her neighborhood transformed into a lake. “I had to wade through the water barefooted to make it across my sister’s acreage,” she said, describing the harrowing trek.
The flood claimed a tragic loss: Lopez’s sister‑in‑law, Grace Clark, was swept away by fast‑moving water. “We’re lucky because we unfortunately just lost Grace, but we had the potential to lose four family members that night,” Lopez added.
Assistance arriving for displaced residents
Other families received immediate support. Robert and Aubree Alguire, with their three children, were placed in an Airbnb in Albuquerque through Red Cross assistance after losing five cars and sustaining significant property damage. “Thousands of dollars just keep adding up—mop or rugs, towels, clothes, shoes, my son’s backpack for school—pretty much anything,” Aubree Alguire said.
The Alguire family returned to their home four days after evacuation to assess the damage, joining the other displaced households in the recovery process.
FEMA eligibility confirmed
Socorro County Emergency Management confirmed that all nine families meet the eligibility threshold for FEMA assistance. The agency is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that affected residents receive the financial aid and resources they need to rebuild.
In addition to monetary assistance, the New Mexico Environment Department will conduct water‑well testing to verify that drinking water supplies are safe. County officials have asked residents to refrain from using tap water until testing is complete, prioritizing public health and safety.
Looking ahead
The community’s response highlights the resilience and mutual support that define Socorro County. As families begin the long process of repairing homes and replacing lost belongings, the combined efforts of local emergency management, the Red Cross, and FEMA provide a vital safety net.
Residents who believe they qualify for assistance are encouraged to contact Socorro County Emergency Management for application details and to stay informed about water‑quality testing updates.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
