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.