This Navajo Nation community in San Juan County takes its name from the 7,177-foot volcanic neck that rises from the surrounding plain, with the San Juan River nearby. Homes here deal with a short list of serious hazards: deep winter cold, intense but brief summer storms, wind and wildfire smoke, and the occasional river problem that reaches far upstream, as the 2015 Gold King Mine spill showed.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral service, which means we do not send workers ourselves. Phone (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to locate an independent restoration contractor willing to work in Shiprock. Coverage in the Four Corners is limited and depends on local providers, so we can't promise a match; read our referral disclosure for the details.
Four Corners climate extremes and the San Juan River
Climate records for Shiprock show an average yearly high of about 69.8°F and an average low of about 36.4°F, with roughly 4.1 inches of snow a year. Extremes run from 109°F in July to a record low of -26°F. Little rain falls overall, so when a thunderstorm does hit, hard dry ground sends water across the surface rather than soaking it in.
San Juan County has been included in four FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000: the 2000 severe forest fire (DR-1329), severe storms and flooding in 2010 (DR-1936), severe storms, flooding and mudslides in 2013 (DR-4152), and the 2024 South Fork Fire, Salt Fire and flooding declaration (DR-4795). Declarations are county-wide and don't single out particular homes.
Frozen lines, roof leaks and drying a wet home
With winter lows well below zero on record, the leading water problem is often a pipe that freezes and splits in an exterior wall, crawlspace or well house, then leaks once it thaws. Roof leaks during summer downpours and failing water heaters or washer hoses round out most calls.
Whoever handles water damage restoration in Shiprock will usually shut off the source, remove standing water, check walls and subfloors with moisture meters and dry the structure with fans and dehumidifiers. See burst pipe water damage and emergency water removal for an overview of the process.
Federal disaster declarations that included San Juan County
FEMA records show San Juan County was included in 4 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (2 fire, 2 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Shiprock was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, and Flooding (DR-4795)
- 2013 – Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4152)
- 2010 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-1936)
- 2000 – Severe Forest Fire (DR-1329)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Shiprock?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Shiprock property.
Fire, soot and smoke from stoves or wildfires
Long, cold winters mean wood stoves, space heaters and fireplaces get heavy use, and each is a common ignition source. The county's fire-related disaster declarations in 2000 and 2024 also show that wildfire and its smoke are regional concerns.
Cleanup contractors commonly board up openings, haul away burned materials, wash soot from walls and contents and work on odor that settles into fabric and ducts. Our fire damage cleanup and smoke odor removal pages walk through those steps.
Flash floods, mudslides and river contamination
Flood risk here is less about steady rain and more about short bursts on bare ground. The 2010 and 2013 county declarations both involved severe storms and flooding, and 2013 added mudslides. Runoff entering a home brings sediment and should be cleaned as contaminated water.
The river can carry trouble from far away, too. After the Gold King Mine spill near Silverton, Colorado, on August 5, 2015, waste reached Shiprock by August 10; the Navajo Nation declared an emergency and stopped irrigating from the San Juan River from August 7 until August 21, affecting an estimated 2,000 Navajo farmers and ranchers. For mud and debris inside a home, see flood cleanup; for wind and roof damage, see storm damage cleanup.
Mold after leaks in a very dry place
Low humidity helps surfaces dry, but a slow leak behind a wall, a wet carpet pad or a damp crawlspace can stay wet long enough to grow mold. Homes that were shut up through a cold snap with a hidden leak are a frequent source.
EPA guidance says small areas of under about 10 square feet can often be cleaned by the homeowner with protective gear. Larger growth, or mold following contaminated floodwater, is better handled through mold remediation with containment.
Protecting your family first in Shiprock
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, a gas smell or anyone in danger.
- Never cross a running wash or flooded road, even in a high-clearance vehicle.
- Shut off water and electricity to damaged areas only when it is safe to reach them.
- Keep heat on and open cabinet doors on the coldest nights to help prevent frozen pipes.
- Record damage with photos and short videos before anything is thrown out.
- Check with your insurer or agent about your specific coverage; it depends on your policy.
- Ask any contractor what tribal, state or local permits or licenses apply to work at your address.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Shiprock):
- Kirtland · 18 mi
- Farmington · 26 mi
- Flora Vista · 34 mi
- West Hammond · 36 mi
- Aztec · 38 mi
- Crownpoint · 82 mi
Shiprock restoration FAQs
How cold does it get in Shiprock, and should I worry about pipes?
The record low is -26°F and winter nights are regularly below freezing. Pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces and unheated outbuildings are most at risk. Insulating them and keeping some heat on during cold snaps helps.
Was Shiprock affected by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill?
Yes. Waste from the spill reached Shiprock by August 10, 2015, and the Navajo Nation halted irrigation from the San Juan River from August 7 to August 21. Questions about river water use should go to tribal or county authorities.
What kind of flooding happens here if it rarely rains?
The area averages only about 7 inches of precipitation a year, so storms that do come can run off hard, dry ground quickly. San Juan County's 2010 and 2013 disaster declarations involved storm flooding, and 2013 also included mudslides.
Can I call from Kirtland, Waterflow or Farmington?
Yes. Callers from Waterflow, Kirtland, Farmington and other San Juan County communities can use the same number. Whether an independent contractor is available depends on who serves your location.
Restoration guides
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Emergency Water Removal
- Flood Cleanup
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Smoke Odor Removal
- Mold Remediation