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Guard officials said 309 people had been rescued since Saturday,
with 38 of those taken to hospitals for treatment of undisclosed
injuries.
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 wasn't immediately released.
Roswell city officials said water levels had receded 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
(about 14.7 centimeters) of rain fell on Roswell on Saturday,
breaking the previous daily record of 5.65 inches (about 14.6
centimeters) set on Nov. 1, 1901, for the southeastern New
Mexico city.
Meteorologists said more rain and flash floods were possible.
As several homes and businesses began to flood Saturday night,
authorities said seven people were rescued after a car was swept
away in floodwaters. Other vehicles were swept away into a river
channel.
Albuquerque TV station KOAT reported that Chaves County Sheriff
Mike Herrington was seen standing on top of his vehicle
surrounded by floodwaters. Herrington said he had to go to the
roof of his vehicle when it and several vehicles others became
stranded in water that rose up to the windows.
Authorities set up a shelter at the Eastern New Mexico state
fairgrounds for Roswell residents displaced by the flooding.
“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,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the New
Mexico National Guard’s adjutant general, said in a statement.
Guard officials said they will “remain on duty to help Roswell
as long as necessary” with 57 guardsmen on the ground.
They said the Guard had several tactical vehicles at the scene
that were capable of driving in 4 feet (1.2 meters) of water.
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