Flood Commission Reports $3M Damage to Vado Channel After Heavy Rainfall

In a recent emergency meeting, the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners addressed the significant challenges posed by recent heavy rainfall, which has overwhelmed local water management systems. Over the past 24 hours, the county has recorded an alarming 1.5 million gallons of water, far exceeding the system's capacity of 1.5 million gallons. This surge has put immense pressure on the wastewater system, which is currently functioning beyond its intended limits.

County officials reported that crews are working tirelessly to manage the situation, utilizing pump trucks to help alleviate the water levels. However, the pumps are frequently tripping due to overwork, necessitating manual resets by the teams on the ground. The wastewater system, while not designed for such extreme conditions, is playing a crucial role in removing standing water from affected areas.

John Gwynne from the flood commission provided insights into the damage caused by the storm, particularly to the Vado Channel, which has suffered extensive sedimentation and structural damage. An initial cost estimate to restore the channel to its pre-storm condition stands at approximately $3 million. The assessment of the nearby Lily Pond remains pending due to its current overload of water and sediment.

The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to better handle such extreme weather events in the future. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this storm, officials are committed to addressing the immediate concerns while planning for long-term solutions to enhance flood resilience in Doña Ana County.