After severe flooding inundated Zuni Pueblo last week, emergency response and relief efforts remain underway. To aid those efforts, the New Mexico National Guard deployed 14 service members to support emergency response operations.
The Guard, in a social media post, said the mission began on July 24. Earlier, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency order authorizing the military force to respond.
The team includes 13 Army National Guard Soldiers and one Air National Guard Airman. Six of the 14 guardsmen serve on the New Mexico National Guard’s specially trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Guard members are assisting local and state officials with engineering support. They are reinforcing berms and clearing roads to help restore access and protect critical infrastructure.
On Standby for Swift Water Rescue
The team also stands ready to conduct swift water rescue operations if conditions require.
The floods two summers ago in Ruidoso prompted the Guard to ensure CERT members are swift water rescue certified.
Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, said the Guard’s rapid response reflects the state’s continued investment in preparedness. He also credited the specialized capabilities of its service members.
“When disaster strikes, readiness matters. New Mexico funds a small, dedicated standing team of National Guard personnel who train year-round for precisely these moments,” said Aguilar. “Their ready expertise in heavy equipment operations, swift water rescue, and emergency management support is increasingly critical to the safety of our state. Today, that highly capable force is on the ground, bringing essential support to the people of Zuni Pueblo during their time of need.”
The Guard has responded to multiple flooding emergencies across the state during the past three consecutive monsoon seasons. It has supported response efforts through engineering assistance, search and rescue capabilities, emergency management, and humanitarian aid.
According to the Guard, those recurring missions have strengthened its disaster response capabilities. They have also improved its ability to rapidly integrate with tribal, local, state, and federal partners during natural disasters.
State and Community Step Up Relief Efforts
Following the severe flooding in parts of New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded by allocating $500,000 for emergency response. As recovery efforts continue, a local business has also launched a donation drive to help affected families.
KOAT Action News earlier reported that Lujan Grisham signed an executive order allocating half a million dollars for flood response efforts. The funding will help provide sandbags, communications equipment, and National Guard support to affected communities.
Meanwhile, Pueblo Collective transformed its Christmas in July sale into something more meaningful. The local business turned its Bernalillo event into a donation drive supporting families affected by the recent Zuni Pueblo flooding.
State officials urge residents to take preventive steps to protect their homes from severe flooding.
