Roswell, New Mexico — At least two people have lost their lives following severe rainfall and flooding overnight on Saturday in Roswell, New Mexico, according to the New Mexico State Police. The National Guard and local authorities have rescued nearly 300 individuals trapped by floodwaters, city officials confirmed.
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“Many motorists became stranded when their vehicles got stuck in flood waters on many streets,” the City of Roswell stated in a press release to media. “Some people had to await rescue on top of their vehicles that were submerged by water. Several vehicles were swept into the river channel by the force of the water.”
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Ongoing Rescue Operations
Search-and-rescue missions continued through Sunday morning as the city’s police and fire departments, in collaboration with state police, the National Guard, and other local agencies, worked tirelessly to reach those in need.
Late Saturday, the National Weather Service (NWS) declared a Flash Flood Emergency for Roswell — the most severe level of flood warning.
The NWS reported rainfall of 4 to 9 inches in parts of the state, triggering a Particularly Dangerous Situation alert — an urgent warning issued during flash floods in heavily populated areas.
Severe Damage to Homes and Businesses as Flooding Continues
The torrential rain caused significant damage across Roswell. “Many homes and businesses were impacted, with floodwaters entering buildings overnight,” city officials reported.
The NWS has extended the flood warning for east-central, northeast, and southeast New Mexico through early Monday, with a flash flood watch remaining in effect for eastern New Mexico throughout Sunday night.
Record-Breaking Rainfall
Roswell experienced a historic deluge with an all-time record of 5.78 inches of rainfall in a single day, surpassing the previous record of 5.65 inches set on Nov. 1, 1901. Emergency services responded to multiple calls for help as water entered homes and blocked numerous roads across the region.
“Life-Threatening Situation” Flooding Alerts Issued
The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office issued an emergency alert via Facebook, describing the event as “an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.” Later, the sheriff’s office shared videos of rescue efforts showing people being brought to safety through treacherous floodwaters, and footage of roads cut off by the rising water.
The Spring River in the Cahoon area saw a rapid rise, trapping several vehicles beneath bridges along the river. Search-and-rescue efforts continue as officials monitor the potential for more flooding with additional rain expected through Sunday.
