A powerful storm dumped a record amount of rain, causing dangerous flooding that left one person dead in Roswell, New Mexico, on Saturday evening, weather and local authorities said.
The Spring River Canal overflowed, causing what the National Weather Service in Albuquerque called “extreme flooding” in downtown Roswell and throughout the southeastern New Mexico city of about 48,000 people famous for an alleged 1947 UFO crash.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, 5.78 inches of rain fell in Roswell, setting an all-time daily record, according to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. The previous record was 5.65 inches, set on November 1, 1901.
The National Weather Service said more flash flooding along with more rain and thunderstorms was possible in the Roswell region of eastern New Mexico on Sunday.
Roswell, New Mexico flood rescue
The New Mexico National Guard said its troops and other agencies rescued nearly 300 people overnight, including at least one waterline rescue, and transported 38 people to hospitals.
The city of Roswell said in a statement that search and rescue operations continued Sunday morning as water levels remained high in the city center. Flood waters entered many houses and other buildings.
Many vehicles were stuck in flood waters and some fell into the riverbed. Roswell authorities said other drivers were waiting for rescue in water-covered vehicles.
New Mexico State Police said all roads in and out of Roswell were closed due to overnight flooding.
Roswell police and fire departments, the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, county volunteer fire departments, New Mexico State Police and the state National Guard are assisting in the rescue efforts.
The National Guard uses light and medium tactical vehicles, known as LMTVs, which can go underwater to a depth of four feet to transport residents to safety. As of Sunday morning, there were 57 Guardsmen in Roswell, the National Guard said in a statement.
“We sympathize with the people of New Mexico affected by the recent 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 Ruidoso, we have experience and are ready for this. We worked through the night and continue to work with rapid water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens get to safety.”
