Roswell. The New Mexico National Guard continued search and rescue operations this Sunday in Roswell after heavy rains caused flooding in and around the city, as well as in Chaves County, which claimed the lives of at least two people.
National Guard officials reported that 309 people had been rescued since Saturday, and 38 of them were taken to hospitals for treatment for undisclosed injuries.
New Mexico State Police said two people died as a result of flash flooding, but no information was immediately available about the victims or the circumstances of their deaths.
Roswell city officials noted that water levels had decreased in many parts of the city but remained high in the downtown area. All roads leading to and from the city were closed on Sunday, officials added.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque said 14.7 centimeters of rain fell in Roswell on Saturday, surpassing the previous single-day record of 14.6 centimeters recorded on Nov. 1, 1901, in the southeastern New Mexico city.
Forecasters warned that more rain and flash flooding were possible.
As several homes and businesses began flooding Saturday night, authorities reported that seven people were rescued when their car was swept away by the waters. Other vehicles were swept into a riverbed.
Albuquerque television station KOAT reported that Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington was seen standing on top of his vehicle surrounded by flood waters. Herrington said he had to climb onto the roof of his vehicle when it and several others became stranded in water that reached up to the windows.
Authorities set up a shelter at the eastern New Mexico state fairgrounds for Roswell residents displaced by flooding.
“We have worked all night and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens reach safety,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the military officer responsible for the administrative apparatus of the New Mexico National Guard.
National Guard authorities asserted that they will remain “active, helping Roswell as long as necessary” with 57 troops in the area.
They added that the Guard has several tactical vehicles in the area, capable of rolling in 1.2 meters of water.
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