Author: KVIA

Nicole Ardila

ABC-7 met with two sisters from Vado, N.M. whose homes got flooded overnight Wednesday — they shared what their homes look like and their biggest concerns.

Rosa Emilia Olasio and her sister, who are also neighbors opened their doors to ABC-7 and showed the now muddy rooms their homes are filled with.

Their items, all scrambled, had to be moved up to high ground once they saw water seeping in.

Rosa said in Spanish, that she didn’t sleep at all that night, as she was worried about her home.

“My niece and her children — the poor things, because all the water got inside. All their things floating around,” said Rosa, emotional from the overnight experience. “I hope it doesn’t rain again, we ask that God to help us, and that the water stops.”

Her sister rushed to grab a bag filled with important documents. She was worried about her bedroom, as there’s a door that leads to her front yard — which was flooded with rising waters.

On Wednesday morning, ABC-7 found the sister walking around the residential area with a broom-stick trying to unclog drains in the area — where water then started to flow.

The sister said also in Spanish, that she hopes the rain stops.

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Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Congressman Tony Gonzales’ office recently announced that he is leading the Texas border delegation on a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting funding for Colonias in several counties across the state.

This bill, called the “Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act,” seeks to safeguard federal funding sources for Colonias along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Colonias are communities outside city limits, characterized by high poverty levels and a lack of essential water, sewer, and housing infrastructure.

“Colonias along the border have historically lacked the most basic necessities, like water and sewage. Though federal grant funding exists to address those needs, an outdated provision in the law may soon disqualify these communities from being eligible for it. My legislation, the Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act, corrects this problem so that colonias continue to have a fighting chance for self-sufficiency and economic development. Preventing colonia grant funds from lapsing is not only the right thing to do—it is essential to promoting public health, safety, and security along the border,” said Congressman Gonzales.

This bipartisan bill aims to increase the population eligibility for the Colonia Set-Aside of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) from one million to two million residents. It also ensures that Colonias in El Paso and McAllen remain eligible for targeted federal CDBG funding.

According to the news release, Texas has the most Colonias among the four border states.

U. Congressional Representatives Veronica Escobar, Henry Cuellar, Monica De La Cruz, and Vicente Gonzalez also co-sponsored Representative Gonzales’s legislation.

“Colonias across the Borderland often lack critical infrastructure and support, like potable water, affecting the health and prosperity of our community,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar. “The Ensuring Continued Access to Funding for Colonias Act will help our local government overcome the financial obstacles to provide first-time, and much-needed, infrastructure to colonias. Ensuring colonias get the funding and support they need has been a priority for me since my time in El Paso County government. I’m proud to have brought millions in funding during my time in Congress and, now, proud to join my colleagues in continuing to elevate the needs of families living in colonias and maintaining federal support as well.”

ABC-7 reached out to Congressman Gonzales’s office for an interview.

More updates will follow in later newscasts.

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Rishi Oza

Update (July 24, 2025): Water has receded but continues to surround many homes and properties, contaminated with trash, animal feces, dead insects and oil.

The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners are holding a special meeting to discuss a potential disaster declaration. It will start at 4 p.m. and be livestreamed on their YouTube channel, here.

Update (July 23, 2025): The Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue says that the boat team deployed to Vado last night to help rescue and transport nearly 20 people and pets.

The Las Cruces Fire Department, Dona Ana Fire Department, and New Mexico State Police are all responding to the flooding.

Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue 

Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue 

Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue 

The county has also established a call center to answer questions and connect the public to available resources. The call center will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM. Dial 211 to reach the call center.

Officials say that coordinated search and rescue operations were completed at 3 AM today.

“Approximately 110 homes were affected as of 12:16 a.m., and 600 homes were without power,” the county posted on social media. “Restoration of power has already started and will be ongoing as crews work in the area. Residents should report outages directly to their utility provider.”

Update: Search-and-rescue operations began overnight for neighborhoods and properties affected by heavy flooding, according to the Doña Ana County Government Center.

The Vado Community Center is currently being used as an emergency evacuation shelter. It is located at 180 La Fe Ave.

Officials say over 600 homes have been impacted by the flooding.

Residents experiencing non-life-threatening flooding or utility issues can call the non-emergency dispatch line at (575) 526-0795.

VADO, New Mexico (KVIA) — Heavy rains causes severe flash flooding in areas of Vado earlier today.

New Mexico State Police closed multiple roads in and out of the town in order to prevent people from driving into deep, standing water.

ABC-7 spoke to a Vado resident who said they’ve never seen flooding like this before.

“We’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Fatima Nunez. “We always honestly ask, when are we getting rain? So this was something very, very shocking for us because we’ve never received this amount of rain.”

ABC-7 will continue to monitor the flooding and damage throughout the day.

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Nichole Gomez

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — There’s still plenty to do in El Paso, including at one treasured wetland, Keystone Heritage Park.

Keystone Heritage Park and the El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens is an archaic wetland that includes a native desert plant botanical garden and even the remains of an archaeological site.

Located on 58 acres in the Upper Valley, the Keystone Wetlands is home to many species of birds and is even a migratory stop for many of species that can be seen there.

Avid bird watchers have the chance to view over 230 species of birds at the Keystone Wetlands.

If this isn’t enough, The Garden encompasses features such as a Xeric demonstration garden, an amphitheater, a moonlight garden , a childrens garden and an ethno-botanical garden.

Monthly events like Sip and Paint, the Keystone Crafts and Culture Market, and the Evening Mystical Market are constant happenings are just some of the events hosted there for you enjoy in your free time.

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Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2038 last month, allowing experienced doctors from around the world to practice in Texas without needing a U.S. residency.

Under the new law, doctors coming from other countries will have to meet specific requirements to be eligible to practice in Texas.

In Juárez, Dr. Alejandro Díaz, who has over 30 years of experience on the border, sees this bill signing as more than just an opportunity for those doctors who meet the requirements set to begin in 2026.

“This is an amazing opportunity for doctors, not only on the border but also in Mexico and abroad,” said Dr. Díaz. “Because it’s kind of a dream for many doctors to work in the United States for various reasons.”

“So I think it’s going to be an incredible opportunity for doctors on the border, in Mexico, and in other countries,” added Dr. Díaz.

All foreign doctors will also be permitted to bypass U.S. residency if they meet specific state licensing and employment requirements.

More updates will come in later newscasts.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—Exciting news! An adorable toddler from El Paso has been nominated for “Toddler of the Year,” and we’d love your help to make her the winner. Lucia is hoping to win a competition for most adorable toddler, with the winner taking home a $25,000 prize and the opportunity to star in a Hollywood Christmas Parade and visit the Peppa Pig theme park. Lucia is a proud member of the El Paso Football Club and loves attending the El Paso Locomotive games. She’s one of our smallest supporters, with the 8th notch.

Cast your daily vote here: https://toddleroftheyear.org/2025/lucia-e110

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Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Juárez Traffic Safety Coordination (CGSV), also known as the Juárez Traffic Police, provided roadside assistance to 111 drivers and seven who required towing due to heavy rains that caused flooding on Sunday and Monday.

Juárez municipal police (SSPM) and the civil protection department have been assisting drivers as well. SSPM responded to 59 roadside assistance calls and cases.

Heavy rain overnight led to the closure of several roads and streets across Juárez and dozens of drivers were stuck due to heavy flooding.

“The Road Safety General Coordination urges motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving to avoid accidents due to the recent rains that hit the city,” a CGSV spokeswoman said.

Citizens are reminded that it is important to avoid areas with large accumulations of water or streams in order to avoid car accidents. Therefore, they are suggested to seek alternative travel routes.

Road Safety urges:

Use courtesy when driving

Drive at low speeds

Brake early

Maintain a safe distance between vehicles

Obey road closures and instructions from the traffic police

Pedestrians are asked to cross avenues at corners and use pedestrian bridges to get from one end to the other.

If you need to request Roadside Assistance, you can do so by calling +52 656-825-3560.

“The corporation works ‘For a better road culture’ to reduce incidents and raise awareness and responsibility when driving on our city’s various roads,” CGSV added.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—The International Museum of Art’s 3rd annual Member Showcase. The event will showcase the people, places, and moments that bring us happiness. Joy Abounds will be on view from July 26 through August 31, 2025.

To become a member today, please visit us at: https://internationalmuseumofart.org/become-a-member-today/. 

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — In the wake of devastating floods that uprooted lives in Ruidoso, one woman is leading a heartwarming initiative.

Natalie Viramontes, owner of Valley Farms New Mexico, is transforming her family’s flower fields into a source of aid for those in need. With her “Flowers for the Floods” campaign, she’s donating 100% of the proceeds to support the Lincoln County Shelter Fund.

Until the end of July, shoppers can purchase these beautiful flowers, knowing their contribution will help families affected by the floods.

Flowers for the “Flowers for the Floods” initiative can be purchased on Sunday’s at the Upper Valley Farmers Market.

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