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Flash flooding in Roswell, New Mexico leaves 1 dead
Michigan

Flash flooding in Roswell, New Mexico leaves 1 dead



CNN

At least one person has died and hundreds have been rescued in Roswell, New Mexico, after extreme rain overnight caused severe flooding, stranding motorists and sweeping away cars.

The New Mexico National Guard and other agencies rescued at least 290 people, including 38 who were taken to hospitals, the agency confirmed in a statement.

The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for Roswell and surrounding areas overnight as emergency management in Chaves County reported numerous water rescues.

Also the weather service warned Widespread showers and storms are again expected across central and eastern New Mexico on Sunday, bringing the risk of large hail, damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, as well as flash and river flooding, “particularly in the Roswell area.”

Roswell recorded 5.78 inches of rainfall on Saturday, which was a record for any date and surpassed the previous mark of 5.68 inches set on November 1, 1901 National Weather Service. It also surpassed 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 and allowing water to enter homes in the area. Water levels have since receded in some areas but remain high in downtown Roswell and throughout the city along the Spring River channel, according to the city.

“Many motorists were stranded as their vehicles became stuck in floodwaters on many roadways,” the city of Roswell said in a statement. “Some people had to wait on the roof of their water-covered vehicles to be rescued. Some vehicles were washed into the river channel by the water. One fatality has been confirmed as a result of the flooding. Search and rescue operations are still underway this morning.”

Videos posted by Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington show him standing on the roof of his vehicle around midnight Sunday, surrounded by floodwaters that swept away his car along with other stranded vehicles. People’s homes and cars are flooded, Herrington says in the videos, which also show rescue operations during floods.

“We feel for New Mexicans affected by this recent flooding in our state,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the New Mexico National Guard. “Due to the previous flooding in Ruidoso, we have the experience and were prepared. We worked through the night and continue to work with rapid water rescue teams and other partner organizations to help our fellow citizens get to safety.”

The Guard’s Community Emergency Response Team conducted at least one fast-water rope rescue overnight, “a skill they were taught due to the Ruidoso floods,” the National Guard said, adding that they will remain deployed as long as necessary to help the city.

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