Virden residents assess flood damage, with more rain on the way

VIRDEN ‒ Monsoon rains caused Gila River levels to rise above 30 feet on Aug. 21 near the New Mexico village of Virden, close to the Arizona state line, and rain and heavy winds have continued since then.

On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, a Democrat from Silver City, inspected damage to infrastructure that befell the community last month, advising Hidalgo County and local ditch association officials on emergency resources available as well as how to approach New Mexico lawmakers with capital investment requests.

A concrete canal built in 1969 to channel runoff from land where Tom Lovett raises Angus cattle, into the Gila lay in pieces, having served well past its 30-year contract life before August storms destroyed it, with similar structures in disrepair alongside an acequia meant to move water west into neighboring Duncan, Arizona.

Water overwhelmed a dike structure and broke through, drowning farms, leaving lost crops and steep mud behind. Storm washes and culverts were overwhelmed with mud and debris as workers from Hidalgo County and Arizona's Greenlee County raced to patch up some of the infrastructure ahead of rains forecast for September as the late monsoon season continues. On Tuesday night alone, another inch and a half of rain fell here, accompanied by severe winds.

Storm runoff from federal land contributed to flooding of some homes along Franklin Road, where berms were clearly eroded and culverts jammed with mud. A system of levees and dikes built in the 1970s is reportedly in poor shape, and Hidalgo County is in negotiation with the Bureau of Land Management to conduct repairs or upgrades.

Water backed up from storm washes filled the basement of farmer Bob Williams' home, where he estimated an inch fell in 20 minutes amid hurricane-force winds.

Morales met with Hidalgo County Manager Tisha Green and commissioners in Lordsburg before County Commissioner Joel Edwards and emergency manager Scott Richins accompanied him to Virden.

Floods have caused serious damage in 18 counties all over New Mexico at the conclusion of a summer that saw New Mexico's two worst wildfires in its history, and severe floods have not been limited to burn scar areas. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has so far declared states of emergency over flooding in Hidalgo, Catron and Grant counties; in Rio Arriba County after as much as six inches of rain fell there in June; and in the city of Las Vegas over flooding and loss of drinking water following the Hermits Peak fire.

More:New Mexico counties seek aid after August floods wreak havoc

"Something we're seeing all over the state," Morales remarked, "is aging infrastructure."

More declarations may follow. Sierra County is gathering data on flood damage there. Whether the governor declares a statewide flooding emergency remains to be seen.

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonWrites on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Virden residents assess flood damage, with more rain on the way