Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) Executive Director Thomas Cody and staff saw first-hand the devastation from the flooding in Chinle -Valley Store.
Cody and staff members visited 10 families on Saturday, September 19, 2026. They delivered groceries to those who were impacted the most by the flooding that began on September 15, 2026, near Highway 191 between Chinle and Many Farms.
The groceries included items such as meat, milk, juice, cereal, canned goods, paperware, and more to assist them as they recovered from the flooding of their homes.
Many of the families visited experienced significant losses and damage to their homes in the flood and were grateful for the extra help with groceries.
On September 22, 2026, NDCFS staff delivered groceries to an additional family in the affected area in extreme need, which included a pregnant woman and a young child in school. The staff also delivered blankets that had been requested during the first trip for a family that had a member with disabilities and another who is blind. That family tried to clean and air out their belongings, but they had become unusable with the flooding of their home.
Executive Director Thomas Cody and NDCFS staff also traveled to Shiprock, NM, on September 24, 2026, to deliver food packages and other supplies to families affected by flooding in the northern area of the Navajo Nation. NDCFS delivered food packages to a total of four families. Staff were assisted by Gervana Begay, a community representative with the Office of the President and Vice President, who helped identify families in need of assistance in the Shiprock area. The Shiprock Chapter President and Vice President also assisted with the response and delivery efforts where flooding of the San Juan River caused the evacuation of at least three families on Friday, September 18, 2026.
“It was heartbreaking to see the conditions of the homes after they were flooded. I directed my staff to follow up with the neediest families to find out if we can help them with Division services such as long-term care, financial assistance, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,” Cody said.
Vikki Shirley, Office of the President and Vice President Staff Assistant, assisted the NDCFS with identifying the families with the greatest need in the Chinle area. She expressed appreciation for all the resources who were onsite to assist, including Navajo Nation Police Department, Navajo Emergency Management, NDCFS, Community Health Representatives, Division of Community Development, Navajo Housing Authority, Apache County, and the American Red Cross.
“It takes years to recover from these kinds of floods,” Shirley said, citing the 2023 flood in Chinle as an example.
Shirley said that in addition to groceries, the affected families in the area needed wood, school supplies, clothing, and water.
The NDCFS has monitored the situation since it started. Staff members were onsite to assess the damages with Navajo Nation programs and offices. The Financial Assistance Unit has been visiting affected families to find out how it can help in dire situations. The Office of Executive Director communications section has also been assisting with creating graphics that provide a unified message from the Navajo Nation to promote community safety during the adverse weather conditions.
On the New Mexico side, Navajo Treatment Center for Children and Their Families participated in debriefing sessions. The NTCCF offers outpatient counseling for children and families affected by trauma.
NDCFS departments and programs are continuing to follow up with specific individuals who may benefit from their services.
The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management approved a resolution, “Declaration of Emergency Due to Severe Monsoon Storms, Flash Flooding, and Road Infrastructure Damage Across the Navajo Nation,” concurred by President Buu Nygren, on September 17, 2026.
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