Unprecedented flooding in southeast New Mexico killed at least one person in Roswell and led to almost 300 rescues over the weekend, authorities said.
Roswell set a new rainfall record on Saturday, leaving underwater many parts of a city with a population of 48,000.
Even Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington was caught up in the flooding, forcing him to climb onto the roof of his cop car as it flooded.
“I came into this not expecting that much water, and before I know it, I was swept off into this,” Herrington said in a Facebook video. “Multiple vehicles have been swept away as well. So to all of you in Chaves County, please stay home. Do not get out.”
Chaves County Sheriff’s Office
A photo from the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office shows flooding near Roswell, New Mexico. (Chaves County Sheriff’s Office)
The New Mexico National Guard led many rescue efforts in the area. By Sunday afternoon, 290 people had been rescued and 38 were hospitalized.
Herrington was not the only person who was surprised by the floodwaters while driving. Numerous residents were trapped in their cars and forced to scramble onto roofs, the city of Roswell said in a statement.
“Water levels have receded in many parts of Roswell but remain high in the downtown area and throughout town along the Spring River channel, which overflowed,” the city said in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon.
New Mexico State Police closed all roads into the city and said residents could not leave on one of the major roads, U.S. Route 285, due to flooding. State police also rescued at least seven people via helicopter.
Roswell got 5.78 inches of rain in 24 hours on Saturday, topping a previous record set Nov. 1, 1901 of 5.65 inches. Roswell only averages about 12 inches of precipitation per year.
