Record Rainfall Triggers Flash Flood Emergency in Roswell, New Mexico

Roswell, New Mexico, experienced an overnight “Flash Flood Emergency” on Saturday, as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS). This designation represents the highest tier of flash flood alerts, indicating a severe threat to life and property. Between 4 and 9 inches of rain were recorded in various parts of the state, prompting the NWS to issue a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert. This warning is activated when a flash flood emergency encompasses a significantly populated area.

The NWS has issued a flood warning for east central, northeast, and southeast New Mexico, effective through the early hours of Monday, while a flash flood watch remains in place for eastern New Mexico through Sunday night. Additional rainfall is anticipated through Sunday, exacerbating the risk of further floods as it falls on grounds already saturated from Saturday’s deluge. Roswell reported an all-time record daily rainfall of 5.78 inches, surpassing the previous record of 5.65 inches established on November 1, 1901.

Emergency services have been actively involved in rescue operations across the Roswell area due to water entering homes and severing infrastructure. The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office shared an emergency alert on social media, cautioning that the situation was “extremely dangerous and life-threatening.” The Sheriff’s Office also posted videos depicting individuals being evacuated from floodwaters and roads submerged by rising water levels.

Notably, the Spring River in the Cahoon area swelled rapidly, leaving several vehicles stranded beneath bridges along the river. Chaves County Undersheriff Charles Yslas reported that high winds, poor visibility, heavy rain, and occasional hail have contributed to perilous driving conditions. Authorities have closed parts of Highways 380 and 285 to the west of Roswell.

Yslas expressed concerns over two school buses returning to Roswell from Santa Fe. The buses had departed at 4:30 p.m. and were located south of Vaughn at around 7:30 p.m. While Yslas advised the buses to remain stationary until the storm subsided, he was unsure if an attempt would be made to proceed and expressed hope that a rescue would not be necessary.

This situation is still unfolding, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.