Three people died when floodwaters swept them away near the Newcomb community on the Navajo Nation early Wednesday morning. Navajo Tribal Police received a call around 12:30 a.m. that people had been carried off by the flood. Search crews found the bodies of two adults and a child. The drownings remain under investigation.
A day of heavy rain left standing water on roads and in other areas, and the rains continued into the overnight hours, according to ABC15. The National Weather Service had issued a special briefing on Tuesday warning of numerous thunderstorms expected to hit the region, and a subsequent warning on Wednesday noted moisture levels near record levels for mid‑September. Forecasters predicted heavy rainfall for the Four Corners region and flash flood warnings were issued for parts of northwestern New Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday.
Navajo Tribal Police did not provide further information, and the drownings remain under investigation. Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, issued a statement thanking first responders and offering condolences to the affected family. He said, ‘To the family, relatives, and loved ones who are grieving today, we offer our deepest condolences. We pray that you are surrounded by strength, comfort, and the love of your family and community in the difficult days ahead.’
The deaths on the Navajo Nation come just weeks after three hikers were killed in the Grand Canyon when heavy rains caused fast‑moving water to flow through Bright Angel Creek. The remains of Timothy Allen Smith, 53, of Wyoming, were found earlier this week, and the bodies of his hiking companions, Brent Rosenkranz, 42, and John Giusti, 46, both of Granbury, Texas, were discovered on August 30 and 31. Nygren also advised residents to be cautious and pay attention to weather alerts, noting that conditions can change quickly and moving water can be dangerous even in familiar places. He warned that no destination is worth risking lives.
