Stomp location worries authorities

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - It was promoted as a night of underground arts, an event that brought together break dancers, singers and even poets.

There was just one problem, the event did too good of a job living up to its name, Arroyo Stomp 2012 took place in an arroyo.

“The North Diversion Channel collects all the water from the northeast heights there are a number of arroyos that drain into it,” said Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority GIS Manager Kevin Troutman.

The Metro Flood Control Authority and firefighters said that makes the channel especially dangerous because it can be completely dry but within minutes that can change.

“Anyone in the channel may not be able to see that there is rain and be caught off guard,” Troutman said.

That is exactly what happened over the weekend.

The Albuquerque Fire Department said a man was walking in the Embudo Arroyo when he was swept downstream.

The man was able to pull himself out where the arroyo meets up with the North Diversion Channel.

“It’s very dangerous not only for the victim themselves but for firefighters, they’re putting their lives on the line to rescue these people,” AFD Spokeswoman Melissa Romero said.

At its peak an estimated 200 people showed up for Arroyo Stomp.

Video shot during the event makes it seem as though no one was worried about rain even in the middle of monsoon season.

“I’ve seen a lot of stuff come down this channel from trucks to people and 200 people in one location is very scary,” said Troutman.

It is a scary scenario for firefighters too because even with all their training and manpower the odds of an arroyo rescue in that situation are not good.

“We are ready at any time but that amount of people would definitely make it challenging for our guys to get every one of them out,” Romero said.

Luckily for those who attended the event it did not rain that night but there was another disturbance, eventually police showed up and everyone scattered.

AMAFCA said it has done what it can to restrict access to the arroyos by putting up fences but they cannot fence everything off so it is up to individuals to stay out.