New Mexico
Dramatic video captures sheriff stranded on top of car amid New Mexico flooding
Dramatic video: New Mexico sheriff stranded by floodwaters
Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington was rescued after his patrol truck was swept away by floodwaters.
A New Mexico police officer was rescued from raging flood waters over the weekend after becoming trapped on top of his patrol car, according to a video shared by the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office.
Posted Sunday on the sheriff’s office Facebook page, the video taken by Sheriff Mike Herrington shows him speaking into his phone camera as police lights flash around him. Below him, rushing water can be seen and heard in the dark.
“At this time I am sitting on the roof of my cop car,” Herrington, clad in a yellow windbreaker, says to the camera. “I am completely surrounded by water…Came into this not expecting that much water and before I know it, I was swept off into this. Multiple vehicles have been swept away as well,” he says in the roughly one-and-a-half-minute clip.
After panning around to show the sheer amount of flooding, which had swallowed other cars, Herrington used the opportunity to warn residents of the county to stay home and avoid the roads.
“Everyone out here in this be careful, be safe and I’m just waiting until the water goes down,” he says at the end of the clip.
Sheriff Herrington was later rescued unharmed, the office confirmed to the BBC.
New Mexico hit by weekend rainfall, flooding
New Mexico experienced record-breaking rainfall and flash flooding over the weekend, resulting in two deaths and 300 rescues by the New Mexico National Guard.
Floodwaters entered homes and other buildings and swept cars off the streets, leaving some people waiting for rescue on the roofs of their homes or vehicles. The intense flooding and debris carried in by the water have left several areas still dangerous and inaccessible as of Wednesday and residents are still advised to avoid driving local streets when possible, officials said.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency declaration for Roswell and Chaves counties on Monday, allocating $1 million in state funding for flooding relief efforts in and around Roswell, the city announced.
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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