'We've Worked All Night': New Mexico National Guard Rescues Hundreds Amid Historic Roswell Floods

November 5, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Roswell, New Mexico.

A staggering rainfall of 5.78 inches in a single day triggered historic floods in Roswell in mid-October, prompting the rapid deployment of the New Mexico National Guard to help hundreds in dire need of rescue.

This intense storm shattered a record set over a century ago, with the National Weather Service confirming it surpassed the previous daily high of 5.65 inches from November 1, 1901.

national guard rescues 300 New Mexico
Aftermath footage in Roswell / Credit: KFOX

The flooding brought widespread devastation, with entire neighborhoods submerged and roadways turning into treacherous rivers. In response, a united front emerged as agencies across New Mexico joined forces to bring people to safety. Alongside the New Mexico National Guard, agencies like the New Mexico State Police, City of Roswell Police, Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, and the Chaves County Sheriff's Office put all hands on deck.

Major General Miguel Aguilar, the Guard’s adjutant general, shared, "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."

The New Mexico National Guard said 309 people had been rescued with 38 of those people taken to hospitals for treatment of undisclosed injuries. They also conducted more than 125 welfare checks to ensure residents were safe.