Flash Flood in Chaves County, New Mexico

The NM Department of Transportation reported river flooding along the Rio Felix south of Roswell overtopping and damaging the U.S. Highway 285 bridge, and overtopping the NM State Highway 2 bridge just north of Hagerman closing both bridges. Flooding from heavy rains and poor drainage also extended over much of Dexter just north of Hagerman. Damage is an estimate. A Flood Warning was issued and repeatedly extended until local reports of the water receding came from local Emergency Management.

Multiple trained spotters reported flash flooding along U.S. Highway 285 near Midway with an estimated three to four feet of water over the roadway. Several people were stranded along the highway and were waiting on top of their vehicles to be rescued. Several water rescues had to be conducted at U.S. Highway 285 and Orchard Park Road. Multiple homes were inundated as well with flood waters, and one woman had to be rescued via a kayak. No injuries were reported. The extent of the damages is unknown, and damages are roughly estimated for the multiple businesses, homes, and vehicles inundated with flood waters.

Thunderstorms producing heavy rain resulted in major flash flooding across southern Roswell and southern Chaves County. Heavy rainfall had fallen in the area the previous evening, and an additional 3 to 5 inches of rain during the morning of May 31st exacerbated the flash flooding. Numerous locations along U.S. Highway 285 from Lake Arthur northward into Roswell had upwards of 2 feet of water along the travel corridor while low water crossings had upwards of 4 feet of water which overfilled the banks. Multiple reports of flooding across fields, ditches, yards, and vehicles were reported. Several side roads were unpassable and had to be barricaded. A breached arroyo near the Roswell Airport also forced the closure of roads around the airport for about a week. Damages are estimated.