Girl, 7, swept to her death in Navajo Nation floods days before she was to turn eight

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026 · last updated 20 September 2026.

Elsie Begay, her seven-year-old granddaughter Lucy Allison Mike, and Begay's best friend Dora Franklin drowned Tuesday near Newcomb, New Mexico, after floodwaters surged as the family tried to cross a wash. The three had been out collecting supplies for Lucy's upcoming eighth birthday party when their truck became stuck in mud during heavy monsoon storms rolling through the Four Corners region. Kalisi Begay, Lucy's mother, had walked ahead to get help, leaving her daughter and mother behind as the water rapidly rose.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren declared a state of emergency Friday as roads remained closed, families were stranded and rain continued to fall.