Oct. 21 (UPI) — Flooding in New Mexico caused by heavy rainfall over the weekend killed two people, according to officials and authorities, who said hundreds of rescues were performed over Sunday.
The southern state was inundated with rainfall, prompting the National Weather Service to issue thunderstorm and flash flood warnings into early Monday. According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, the city of Roswell set a new daily record of rainfall on Saturday at 5.78 inches.
On Sunday morning, the New Mexico National Guard reported it had worked throughout the night, rescuing 290 people, 38 of whom were hospitalized.
“We feel for the New Mexicans affected by this latest flooding in our state,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the New Mexico National Guard adjutant general, said in a statement. “We’ve worked all night, and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens get to safety.”
Amanda Richards, a New Mexico State Police spokesperson, told The New York Times in an emailed statement that two people had died due to flooding, but would not provide additional information.
The city of Roswell confirmed that one of the deaths occurred within its borders.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham described the flash flooding to hit the city as “historic.”
“Please heed authorities’ warnings and stay off area roadways. We continue to monitor this developing situation,” she said Sunday in a statement.
Roswell warned in a statement Sunday morning that water levels had receded but remain high in the downtown area and near the Spring River channel, which had overflowed.
According to Roswell officials, motorists became stuck on streets throughout the city because of floodwaters. Some people had to wait for rescue atop of their vehicles. Some vehicles were swept away into the river channel.
“Search-and-rescue efforts are still underway this morning,” it said.
Many homes and buildings have been breached by flood waters, the city added.
The Roswell Air Center announced that it was closed and all flights through Monday morning were canceled.
Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man has taken a plea deal for his role in the death of a three-year-old girl more than two years ago. Police said that Kerri Santos brought her toddler to University of New Mexico Hospital, claiming that she fell and hurt herself. Medical staff determined the child was already dead when she arrived, and noticed signs of abuse, including evidence that she had been tied up. Police said that Santos and three others were staying at James Welch’s home when the abuse took place.
On Friday, Welch pleaded no contest to three counts of child abuse and tampering with evidence. He faces up to five years behind bars.
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