At least two people have died and hundreds have been rescued in a flash flood in New Mexico

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At least two people died and hundreds more had to be rescued after flash floods devastated the city of Roswell, New Mexico.

Over the weekend, Roswell and surrounding areas of Chaves County were hit by record-breaking flash floods that damaged homes and swept cars off the roads.

New Mexico State Police confirmed two people had died, while the New Mexico National Guard said another 38 people had been taken to the hospital.

A total of 290 people were rescued from the floods. Emergency services worked throughout the night to bring people to safety, including a family of seven who were surrounded by water.

Rainfall on Saturday set a new daily record for the area at 5.78 inches, while surrounding Chaves County received about nine inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall observed this weekend surpassed the previous record of 5.65 inches set in November 1901, the weather service added.

“We feel for the New Mexicans affected by this recent flooding in our state,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the Nex Mexico National Guard, said in a statement.

“Due to the previous flooding in Ruidoso, we have the 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.”

Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington issued a warning to residents from the roof of his flooded truck, urging them to stay home.

“I'm completely surrounded by water at this point,” Herrington said in the video posted on Facebook, adding that he was “swept away” by the floodwaters.

“Before I knew it, I was swept in there… several vehicles were also swept away,” he said.

“To all of you in Chaves County: Please stay home and do not go out. Many of their houses and cars are under water. I'm shivering a little because it's cold out here, I'm sitting on the roof of my vehicle. Be careful, be safe. I’ll wait for the water to go down.”

The city said water levels have since fallen in many parts of Roswell – a city that has become synonymous with reported “sightings” of UFOs – but water levels remain high and at dangerous levels in downtown and along the Spring River reached.

Facilities including the municipal court, public library, local museum, convention center, golf course and a cemetery will remain closed Monday, the city said.

Gov. Michelle Lujhan Grisham thanked emergency services for their rescue efforts over the weekend.

“Thank you to the New Mexico National Guard for supporting those in need after the historic flash flood in Roswell,” she said in a post on X.

“Please heed the authorities’ warnings and stay off the roads. We continue to monitor this evolving situation.”

Researchers say New Mexico has recently been hit by extreme weather events that are becoming increasingly likely due to climate change.

Severe flash flooding occurred in neighboring Ruidoso in July, just two weeks after devastating wildfires hit the state.