2 dead, 309 people rescued after severe flooding in New Mexico

ROSWELL, N.M. — The New Mexico National Guard continued search and rescue operations Sunday in Roswell after record rains caused severe flooding in and around the city and Chaves County and caused minus two deaths.

Guard officials said 309 people had been rescued since Saturday, including 38 taken to hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

New Mexico State Police said two people died as a result of the flash flooding, but information on the victims or the circumstances of their deaths was not immediately released.

Roswell city officials said water levels had dropped in many parts of the city but remained high in the downtown area. All roads leading to and from the city were closed Sunday, authorities said.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque said 5.78 inches of rain fell in Roswell on Saturday, breaking the previous daily record of 5.65 inches set Nov. 1, 1901, for the southeastern New Mexico city.

Meteorologists said more rain and flash flooding were possible.

As several homes and businesses began to flood Saturday evening, authorities said seven people were rescued after a car was swept away by floodwaters. Other vehicles were swept into a river channel.

Albuquerque television station KOAT reported that Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington was seen standing on his vehicle, surrounded by floodwaters. Herrington said he had to go to the roof of his vehicle when it and several other vehicles became stuck in water that came up to the windows.

Officials set up a shelter at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds for Roswell residents displaced by flooding.

“We worked through the night and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our citizens get to safety,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the Guard National of New Mexico, in a press release.

Guard officials said they would “remain on duty to assist Roswell for as long as necessary” with 57 Guardsmen on the ground.

They said the Guard had several tactical vehicles on site capable of driving in 4 feet of water.