At least 2 dead, hundreds rescued in severe flash flooding in New Mexico

At least two people have died and hundreds more were rescued after overnight rainfall and flooding Saturday in Roswell, New Mexico caused severe flash flooding,

According to New Mexico State Police, nearly 300 people have been rescued by the New Mexico National Guard and other agencies within Chaves County, including 38 who were taken to hospitals.

The National Weather Service stated that widespread showers and storms on Sunday in central and eastern New Mexico and also bring the risk of large hail, damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, and both flash flooding and river flooding, “especially in the Roswell area.”

Per the National Weather Service, Roswell recorded 5.78” of rainfall Saturday, which set a record for any date, surpassing the prior mark of 5.68” set November 1, 1901. It also broke the daily record set in 1983 and is four times the region’s average October rainfall. The Spring River in the Cahoon area rose to dangerous levels, stranding several vehicles under bridges along the river, with water entering homes.

The City of Roswell said in a statement: “Many motorists became stranded when their vehicles got stuck in flood waters on many streets. Some people had to await rescue on top of their vehicles that were covered by water. Some vehicles were swept by the water into the river channel. One fatality has been confirmed as a result of the flooding. Search-and-rescue efforts are still underway this morning.”

The NWS has also issued a flood warning for east central, northeast and southeast New Mexico through the early hours of Monday. Additional rain is expected on ground already saturated by Saturday’s downpours and thus raising the risk of further flash flooding.