Natural Disasters

White House approves disaster relief for tribal communities hit by New Mexico floods

President Trump directs federal aid funding for Navajo Nation, Pueblo and Apache communities

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A highway sign sits in debris from flooding that occurred when rain over the weekend breached flood control in the Rio San Jose in Laguna Pueblo.
A highway sign sits in debris from flooding that occurred when rain over the weekend breached flood control in the Rio San Jose in Laguna Pueblo, Oct. 27, 2026. (Buffalo's Fire/Shaun Griswold)
Shaun Griswold

Shaun Griswold

October 27, 2026

Flooding caused by severe rain across the northwest part of New Mexico has destroyed roads and damaged homes in Pueblo, Navajo Nation and Apache communities.

On Monday, the White House approved a disaster request from New Mexico to cover some costs related to recovery and aid for tribal communities and nearby counties impacted by the floods.

The New Mexico congressional delegation wrote to President Donald Trump that Public Assistance Category A and B funding is needed for search and rescue operations, high-water vehicles, air support, vacuum trucks and other heavy machinery to assist with debris removal.

This followed tribal emergency orders issued over the weekend by the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Tribe, and Pueblos of Acoma, San Ildefonso, Zia and Laguna. The state of New Mexico requested Public Assistance Category A and B funding and Direct Federal Assistance. The state is also looking for aid to help non-tribal communities in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola and Sandoval counties.

Federal emergency management officials are meeting Tuesday with local and tribal emergency management teams to determine exactly what aid the federal government will reimburse. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the state will seek reimbursement for costs spent to help with the flooding response. It remains unclear if tribes will be able to reimburse from the federal aid.

In October, President Trump approved emergency funding to help with flooding damage in Zuni Pueblo.

References

  1. 1.Feds partially grant emergency declaration for northern NM flooding. New Mexico Governor's Office.
  2. 2.New Mexico Delegation Sends Letter of Support for Emergency Declaration. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich's Office.
  3. 3.President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for the Pueblo of Zuni. FEMA.

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Shaun Griswold

Staff Reporter

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Shaun Griswold

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