Rainfall Causes Mandatory Evacuation in Las Vegas, N.M.: Business Owner and Officials Warn Against Ignoring Flood Risks

On Saturday, officials issued a mandatory evacuation for anyone living south of Mile Marker 4 off of NM Highway 65 down to Hot Springs Avenue in Las Vegas, N.M. San Miguel County Commissioner Harold Garcia shared videos showing high water levels at the Gallinas River and several people had to evacuate. Parts of the Gallinas River Park and the bridge remain closed off, with the possibility of more rain on Saturday and Sunday.

KOB 4 crews arrived in town around noon on Saturday and observed that while the water levels were lower than before, they were still gushing. The business owner of Waldero’s Wich’s, Paul Segura, stated that he had to evacuate his restaurant before fully shutting it down due to the high water levels. Segura mentioned that the water was close to overtaking the bridge and reaching his land, which caused concerns about the impact on his restaurant’s basement and structural integrity.

Speaking with Segura, he expressed that both his restaurant and home were safe, despite the challenges he faced in returning home due to road closures by firefighters. City and county officials faced difficulties in getting residents to obey evacuation orders, with reports of people moving caution tape and road closed signs against official guidance. The officials reminded residents that even small amounts of water can be dangerous during flooding and urged them to “Turn around, don’t drown.”