Southeast New Mexico residents are recovering from flooding caused by historic weekend rain, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency on Oct. 22.
Gov. Michelle Grisham’s order unlocked $1 million in state funding for Chaves County, where Roswell is the county seat.
Of that $1 million, $750,000 will go to the state’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for response efforts and $250,000 to the New Mexico National Guard for disaster relief.
Roswell is known as the site of an alleged UFO crash in 1947, spawning numerous stories and theories.
Grisham said that since the flooding began Oct. 19, first responders have rescued over 300 people.
“I’m grateful for the swift actions taken by local authorities and our state departments to help communities in need,” she said. “My administration is on the ground assisting and will continue to provide robust support for relief efforts.”
On Oct. 19, Chaves County sheriff’s deputies asked residents to stay home amid efforts to rescue people in cars stranded in floodwater.
Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington posted on Oct. 20 that he was sitting on the top of his truck surrounded by water after being carried into the current while checking on others.
“I came into this not expecting that much water and before I knew it I was swept off into this,” he said. “Multiple vehicles have been swept away as well, so for all of you in Chaves County, please stay at home. Do not get out.”
He added that the homes and cars of most West Roswell residents were flooded.
The city said in a Facebook post that recovery efforts were underway as water levels receded. Still, water remained high in the downtown area along the Spring River channel, which had overflowed.
On Oct, 21, the Roswell Police Department reported the state medical examiner confirmed two deaths from the flooding.
The Roswell Fire Department said it responded to multiple vehicle fires that may have started because of flood debris trapped in the engine or the vehicle itself.
“Please check under the hood of vehicles and throughout the engine compartment and underneath vehicles for flood debris that may be stuck,” the department said. “Much of the debris, particularly vegetation of all sorts, quickly dries out next to the hot engine and other vehicle components and then can easily ignite into flames while the vehicle is being driven.”
An image taken from video shows debris and damage amid severe flooding in Roswell, N.M., on Oct. 20, 2024. Juliana Halvorson/AP
Roswell usually gets less than a foot of rain a year, but Saturday it got nearly 6 inches, with as much as 9 inches in surrounding areas, The Associated Press reported, Saturday’s rain total broke the previous daily record of 5.65 inches set in 1901.
Jennifer Shoemake, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said the rain was caused by a low-pressure system stalled over Arizona.
“So the moisture just kept funneling and funneling and funneling up across eastern New Mexico,” Shoemake said. “They got multiple days of heavy rainfall and severe weather in that area because that storm system was just not moving.”
Flood damage in Roswell, N.M., on Oct. 21, 2024. Tom Hudgens/AP
“Over 75 New Mexico National Guard members remained on the ground Tuesday for this mission,” the guard said. “After the flooding, the Guardsmen used over two dozen light medium tactical vehicles to evacuate people and transport them to safety. Thirty-eight people were taken to local hospitals. The light medium tactical vehicles can drive in up to 4 feet of water, making them an essential tool in these high-water rescues.”
The National Guard also conducted over 125 welfare checks “to ensure residents were safe.”
“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,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the New Mexico National Guard’s adjutant general.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
