Two people dead, hundreds rescued during ‘dangerous’ flash flooding in New Mexico

At least two people died after overnight rainfall and flooding Saturday in Roswell, New Mexico, according to New Mexico State Police. City officials say the National Guard rescued nearly 300 people.

“Multiple drivers were stranded when their vehicles became stuck in floodwaters on multiple streets,” the city of Roswell said Sunday in a statement to ABC News. “Some people had to wait for rescue in vehicles flooded with water. Some vehicles were swept away by the water into the riverbed.”

Search and rescue operations continued Sunday morning, with city police and fire departments working with state police, the National Guard and other local agencies.

The National Weather Service said a flood emergency was declared in the city late Saturday – the highest level of flash flood warning.

Between 4 and 9 inches of rain fell in some parts of the state, prompting the NWS to issue a “particularly hazardous situation” alert, a warning issued when flash flooding occurs in an area with a high population.

The city said overnight rain caused major damage to homes and businesses, with many people reporting floodwaters entered buildings.

The NWS has issued a flood warning for central, northeastern and southeastern New Mexico through the early morning hours Monday. A flash flood warning is in effect for eastern New Mexico through Sunday night.

Additional rainfall is expected through Sunday and will fall on land already soaked by Saturday’s downpours, increasing the risk of further flash flooding.

Roswell experienced an all-time record daily rainfall of 5.78 inches – more than the previous record set on November 1, 1901, which was 5.65 inches.

Emergency officials said multiple rescues were underway throughout the Roswell area, with water entering homes and cutting off various roads.

The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office posted a warning on its Facebook page about an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.”

The sheriff’s office later released videos of people being rescued by floodwaters and roads being cut off by rising water.

The Spring River in the Cahoon area rose rapidly, stranding several vehicles under bridges along the river.