At Least 2 Dead, Hundreds Rescued After Severe Flooding in New Mexico

Severe flooding in southeastern New Mexico has left two dead and triggered widespread evacuations as authorities worked to rescue hundreds of people trapped by fast-rising floodwaters.
In the aftermath of record rainfall and severe flooding over the weekend, the New Mexico National Guard officials said 309 people had been rescued since Saturday, with 38 of those taken to hospitals for treatment of undisclosed injuries. In addition, New Mexico State Police said two people died as a result of the flash flood, but information on the victims or the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.
The weekend saw unprecedented rainfall in Roswell, with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque reporting 5.78 inches of rain, eclipsing the previous record set in 1901 of 5.65 inches. The flooding has devastated the area, swamping homes and businesses, and leaving many stranded as roads became impassable.
Among those caught in the disaster was Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington, who found himself standing on top of his vehicle, engulfed by rising water, according to Albuquerque’s ABC-affiliated KOAT-TV.
The sheriff’s escape was one of many daring rescues carried out by first responders, who have been working non-stop as several homes and businesses began to flood Saturday night. According to local authorities, seven people were rescued after a car was swept away in floodwaters while other vehicles were swept away into a river channel.
Newsweek reached out to the New Mexico National Guard via email on Monday for comment.
The recent flooding has mobilized significant resources, including the New Mexico National Guard. As water levels continued to rise, authorities established an emergency shelter at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds for those displaced by the flood.
In addition, guard officials said they will “remain on duty to help Roswell as long as necessary” with 57 guardsmen on the ground, adding that the Guard had several tactical vehicles at the scene that were capable of driving in 4 feet of water.
“We’ve worked all night and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens get to safety,” Major General Miguel Aguilar, the New Mexico National Guard’s adjutant general, said in a statement.
While rescue efforts continue, Roswell public information officer Todd Wildermuth told KOAT that another main concern is street debris and the potential damage it could inflict.
“The main thing that’s affecting the public right now on the streets is debris. It was washed around, blown around from trees being knocked over to electrical bowls being knocked over,” Wildermuth said.
In addition, Cristina Arnold, a Roswell city councilor, said it may take months or even years to recover from this damage, but she said the city has made preparations while noting recent work during this summer’s large wildfires in the village of Ruidoso.
“We did just do a lot of assistance with the Ruidoso fires, so we kind of have a good strategic plan naturally in place, and I think those who are displaced or need assistance should actually be pretty safe cause we’ll be prepared for them,” Arnold told KOAT.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.