Flash floods bring danger to encampments in arroyos
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Three people were rescued from flooded arroyos in Albuquerque last month. The heavy rains the metro has seen over the last few weeks mean the dangers of flooding arroyos are becoming a bigger threat.
The Albuquerque Police Department said they are trying to keep people out of them as much as possible. On June 9, AFR responded to a flood channel rescue near Tramway and Rachel Road. One person was safely rescued, but a second person died and was found 45 minutes later in the Tijeras Arroyo. Later that same day first responders rescued another person trapped on a barricade in an arroyo near Wyoming and Indian School.
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Nearly two weeks later, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to more illegal encampments in arroyos. On June 20, APD cited two people for camping in an arroyo near Luecking North Park.
According to police documents, the Solid Waste Department was called in for both cases due to the amount of trash. In a police video, an officer can be heard telling one person that they are being cited for trespassing in the arroyo and also for littering.
A spokesperson for APD tells us their Proactive Response Teams often patrol bike paths along the arroyos, saying they try to educate and remove people from arroyos and will use enforcement when necessary. They add they also work with AMAFCA and Albuquerque Fire Rescue to patrol and respond to flash flood incidents.
In 2023, the Swiftwater Task Force was dispatched to 17 calls. Meanwhile, this year they’ve already reached 15 calls through June. If you see homeless encampments in arroyos, you’re encouraged to report it to 311.
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