Flooding in Roswell, New Mexico turns deadly as record rainfall hits UFO city

A powerful storm dropped a record amount of rain and caused dangerous flooding with one confirmed death Saturday evening in Roswell, New Mexico, weather and local authorities said.

The Spring River canal overflowed, causing what the National Weather Service in Albuquerque called “extreme flooding” in downtown Roswell and throughout the southeastern New Mexico city of about 48,000 residents, responsible for the suspected UFO crash that year was famous in 1947.

Roswell was drenched by 5.78 inches of rain, setting an all-time daily record on Saturday, Oct. 19, the National Weather Service in Albuquerque reported. The previous record was 5.65 inches on November 1, 1901.

More flash flooding is possible in the Roswell region of eastern New Mexico on Sunday as more rain and storms are forecast, according to the National Weather Service.

Flood rescue efforts in Roswell, New Mexico

The New Mexico National Guard said its troops and other agencies rescued nearly 300 people during the overnight hours, including at least one quick water rope rescue and 38 people taken to hospitals.

Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday morning as water levels remained high in the downtown area, the city of Roswell said in a statement. Flooding entered many homes and other buildings.

Many vehicles became stuck in the flash flood water and some vehicles were swept into the river channel. Other motorists waited on the roof of their water-covered vehicles to be rescued, Roswell authorities reported.

All roads to and from Roswell were closed overnight due to severe flooding, New Mexico State Police said.

The rescue operations include Roswell police and fire departments, the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, county volunteer fire departments, as well as the New Mexico State Police and the state National Guard.

The National Guard deploys light/medium tactical vehicles, called LMTVs, that can travel in water up to 4 feet (120 centimeters) deep to transport residents to safety. There were 57 Guardsmen in Roswell as of Sunday morning, the National Guard said in a statement.

“We feel for the New Mexicans affected by this recent flooding in our state,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the NM National Guard, said in a statement. “Due to the previous flooding in Ruidoso, we have the necessary experience and were prepared. We worked through the night and continue to work with rapid water rescue teams and other partner organizations to help our fellow citizens get to safety.”

Flood rescue efforts in Roswell, New Mexico

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