These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Get to higher ground now
Climb to higher ground right away. Do not wait to grab things.
Turn around, don't drown. Never walk, swim or drive into flood water.
Six inches of moving water can knock a person down. One foot of water can float a car. Two feet can sweep away a truck.
Flash floods can come even when it is not raining where you are. Rain in the mountains can fill a dry arroyo in minutes.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
You can ask"Is anyone stuck in a car, a tent or a low spot?" Tell 911 exactly where.
2If you are in a car
If water is rising around the car and is not moving fast, get out and go to higher ground.
If the car is being carried by water, stay inside with your seat belt off. If water comes inside, climb onto the roof and call 911.
Never drive around a barrier or into a flooded dip in the road.
NM Department of Transportation - NMRoads
Road conditions and closures (511)
511
· 24/7
3Sleeping outside or camping
Never sleep or camp in an arroyo, a wash, the Big Ditch or along San Vicente Creek in rainy season (July to September).
You can ask"Where are you sleeping tonight? Is it near water or a low spot?"
At the Gospel MissionCome inside the Mission at 111 S. Texas St. during open hours (weekdays, breakfast 8:30-9:30, lunch 12-1).
If they need a safe place to sleep, use the guide "A man alone has nowhere to sleep tonight".
4Get warnings early
Grant County - TextMyGov alerts
Free text-message emergency alerts for Grant County
575-574-4607
Silver City · 24/7
National Weather Service - El Paso/Santa Teresa office
Weather forecasts and warnings for the Gila region
7955 Airport Rd, Santa Teresa · Online 24/7
Grant County Office of Emergency Management
County emergency management (fires, floods, evacuations)
575-574-0065
1400 Highway 180 E, Silver City · County office hours
5After the water goes down
Stay out of flood water. It can hide holes, sharp things, sewage and live power lines.
If you touched flood water, wash with soap and clean water.
If the home was damaged, use the guide "Lost their home or belongings in a fire, flood or disaster".
American Red Cross - Arizona and New Mexico Region
Disaster and home fire help; emergency shelter locations
1-800-733-2767
· 24/7
More help like this
No heat, or it's dangerously cold or hotUse when someone has no heat at home, is outside in freezing weather or extreme heat, or can't pay for heating.Lost their home or belongings in a fire, flood or disasterUse after a house fire, flood, storm or evacuation when someone has lost their home, clothes or papers.Stuck outside in freezing cold or snow (hypothermia or frostbite)Use when someone is outside or stranded in freezing weather or a snowstorm, is shivering hard, confused or very sleepy from cold, or has numb, white or gray skin.Someone is sleeping outside in dangerous cold or heatUse when you see someone sleeping or staying outside during freezing nights, snow, or extreme heat, and you are worried they may get sick or die.A fire is burning in a home, building or camp right nowUse when a fire has started in a home, apartment, building, car, tent or camp and people need to get out and stay safe.Smells gas, or a carbon monoxide alarm is going offUse when someone smells gas (rotten eggs), hears hissing from a gas line, or a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, or people feel sick from a heater, stove or generator.
See all guides in Emergency and first aid →
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
Know a better way? Is something out of date?
If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.