At least two dead in Roswell after New Mexico floods

ROSWELL, New Mexico – Heavy rain caused catastrophic flooding in parts of New Mexico over the weekend, killing at least two people in the Roswell area and leaving hundreds of residents trapped in their homes and vehicles as water rose around them.

The record-breaking event began Friday and continued through Sunday due to a slow-moving upper-level low pressure system located atop the Four Corners region in the Southwest, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

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On Saturday, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) warned that heavy precipitation could cause flash flooding in the region.

That forecast came true late Saturday as rain and thunderstorms moved through the Roswell area, ultimately leading to a rare flash flood emergency as waters quickly rose.

Rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour were reported by the FOX Forecast Center, which exceeded the average hourly rainfall rate for October, November and December combined.

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New Mexico State Police confirmed at least two deaths from the Roswell flood, and the New Mexico National Guard said nearly 300 people needed to be rescued, including about 38 people who needed to be taken to local hospitals for treatment.

“We sympathize with the New Mexicans impacted by this latest flooding in our state,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the New Mexico National Guard, said in a statement. “Due to the previous flood in RuidosoWe have experience and we were ready for this.”

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City officials said many motorists were stranded by the flooding, with some people forced to sit on the roof of their cars while waiting for help.

“Some cars were washed into the river bed,” city officials said on Facebook.

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Among those trapped was Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington, who took to Facebook to describe the unfolding situation.

“I’m sitting on the roof of my police truck at this time,” he said in a Facebook video. “At this time I am completely surrounded by water.”

Several other vehicles in the video can be seen surrounded by floodwaters.

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“There are several vehicles,” he said. “I came here not expecting so much water. And before I knew it, I was swept away into it. Several vehicles were also demolished. So to all of you in Chaves County, please stay home. Don’t leave. outside.”

The Roswell airport officially received 5.78 inches of rain on Saturday, according to the FOX Forecast Center, which is currently the wettest day in the location’s history. The previous record was set on November 1, 1901, at 5.65 inches.