Man takes lead on helping neighbors impacted by flooding in northern New Mexico

FARMINGTON, N.M. – Christopher Self is anything but self-ish. He has led flood relief in Farmington after back-to-back flooding damaged homes and left families needing help.

As families in Farmington recover, Self founded Wild Horse Valley Strong and has organized help across his neighborhood.

“It’s gloomy down there, but there’s a lot of optimism and hope, and that’s one thing I’m trying to bring is that hope,” Self said.

Self has organized food donations and helped bring in heavy equipment for cleanup. Self also said he needs more volunteers to keep the work going.

“We need the manpower. 90% of the community right now is out there doing it themselves and this is again the second time they’re having to do this,” Self said.

What does the community need?

Self says the community needs rakes, shovels, protective gear, food trucks for volunteers and diesel for heavy equipment.

“They’re spending their own money to come down here with diesel and help us,” Self said.

Self also made his own donation. As a former hotel employee, he bought mattresses and box springs that he had planned to resell, then donated them to Bedz4Kidz.

Former KOB meteorologist Steve Stucker said the nonprofit is sending queen-size beds to flood victims in the Four Corners region.

“We bought hundreds of beds for this relief effort, but we’ve bought almost exclusively twins, and this being a queen sized means a couple, a husband and wife or a mom that co-sleeps with a child or two are going to get a nice big bed,” Stucker said.

Stucker said Self is showcasing the Four Corners spirit he witnessed in the area last week.

“Everybody’s pitching in, and I just love to see the community helping themselves and helping each other,” Stucker said.

The National Weather Service found at least 1,500 homes were damaged after the first round of flooding.

Self’s organization can be found here for those who want to get involved.

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