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New Mexico Faces the Biggest Flood in Years

New Mexico
New Mexico. Image via Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Following unprecedented rainstorms over the weekend, Roswell, New Mexico faced devastating floods, leaving behind a trail of destruction. With two confirmed deaths and hundreds of emergency rescues, the city found itself battling against the elements. Saturday and Sunday’s thunderstorms unleashed relentless downpours that filled streets with rising floodwaters, trapping residents and motorists alike.

Emergency services, including the New Mexico National Guard, responded swiftly, rescuing 309 people, some in dire conditions, while 38 were hospitalized.

City Workers Begin Cleanup Efforts

Flooding in HRENSKO, CZECH REPUBLIC. Image by brendan_howard via Depositphotos.
Flooding bench. Image by brendan_howard via Depositphotos.

As the storms subsided, city workers wasted no time. Monday morning saw teams of workers fanning out across Roswell to assess the damage. Debris was cleared from roadways, and city infrastructure—buildings, streets, and water lines—underwent inspections. Thankfully, the city’s water system emerged intact, despite fears of contamination or disruption following the flooding. Floodwaters had receded in many areas by Sunday evening, but parts of downtown Roswell remained submerged, leading to extended road closures into early Monday.

Emergency Response in Action

Road closed due to hurricane caused flooding.
Road closed due to hurricane caused flooding. Image by alteredsnaps via Pexels.

The storms unleashed chaos, but local and state authorities acted quickly to prevent further loss of life. National Guard troops executed multiple water rescues, including a dramatic swift-water rope rescue. By Monday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had visited Roswell and signed an emergency declaration, releasing $1 million in state funds to aid in recovery efforts. Her statement praised the swift actions of both local and state teams, who worked tirelessly to help affected communities.

The Toll of the Storms

flooded building
Image by Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92405251

For many residents, the weekend’s flooding hit home—literally. As they awoke on Sunday morning, several found their homes inundated by rising waters. Interviews with affected homeowners revealed the shock of stepping into several inches of floodwater inside their homes. The flood had claimed two lives, though details about the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths have yet to be released by authorities.

Record-Breaking Rainfall

Raindrops on window.
Raindrops on window. Image by NickyPe via Pixabay.

The storms shattered Roswell’s historical rainfall records. On Saturday, the National Weather Service recorded 5.78 inches of rain, eclipsing a record that had stood for over a century. The previous record, set on November 1, 1901, saw 5.65 inches fall on the city, making this past weekend’s deluge a rare and dangerous event for the southeastern New Mexico region.

As the cleanup continues, Roswell faces the daunting task of rebuilding and recovering from one of the most significant weather events in its history. With emergency funds now available, the city and its residents are hopeful for a swift recovery in the weeks to come.