At least 1 dead as truck is swept away in Carlsbad area flooding
UPDATE, June 30: CARLSBAD, New Mexico — One person was found dead in a truck driven into floodwaters that covered a closed road in Carlsbad after heavy rain drenched southern New Mexico, state police said.
The person driving the truck went through a road block late Tuesday night and the vehicle was swept away by floodwaters, according to first-responders who later found the truck overturned with the driver's body inside.
The identity of the person found dead was not immediately released by New Mexico State Police.
The National Weather Service extended a flood warning issued for the Carlsbad area through Wednesday night and said continued flooding was expected.
The Pecos River was expected to crest at 1.5 feet above flood stage late Wednesday afternoon and then being falling, the weather service said.
Flooding of numerous city streets and roads in outlying areas had already occurred. A shelter remained opened at a Carlsbad elementary school for residents evacuated because of rising water, but most people had chosen to stay with family and friends.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
ORIGINAL REPORT, June 29: CARLSBAD, New Mexico — The City of Carlsbad experienced widespread flooding on Tuesday, forcing evacuations for numerous residents as well as visitors at nearby Carlsbad Caverns.
ABC affiliate KOAT reported there were multiple helicopter rescues due to flooding from the Pecos River. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for the river around Carlsbad through Wednesday after the area received between four to five inches of rain over the past 48 hours.
The San Jose Boulevard Bridge in Carlsbad was shut down by city police as water from the river flowed over the bridge, making it impassable. Meantime, New Mexico State Police closed Road 7, which leads to the caverns, as evacuations got underway there.
In Carlsbad, evacuations occurred along James, Juanita, Nelson and Soper streets as well as the Standpipe area. Evacuees were sent to Joe Stanley Elementary School.
Also, Eddy County officials said on social media that they evacuated residents living near the Tansill Dam and Reservoir.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday evening that "the state is coordinating local resources in the response to the flooding in Eddy County and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is maintaining close communication with local floodplain managers and the Army Corps of Engineers. Please abide by local evacuations and remember, turn around, don't drown!"
