Las Cruces Fire Department sending specialized teams to help with Roswell flooding response

Update: The Las Cruces Fire Department is sending a five-person Swift Water Rescue Team and two EMS personnel to Roswell to help respond to the flooding.

"Both teams left about 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, and arrived in Roswell at 2 p.m.," a LCFD spokesperson stated Monday. "The Swift Water Rescue Team, part of LCFD’s Technical Rescue Team, was deployed Sunday evening and was assigned to search areas of concern."

The teams are expected to return to Las Cruces no later than October 22, 2024.

Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue is also sending a specialized team to Roswell.

UPDATE: The New Mexico National Guard confirms 309 people have been rescued from the flashing flooding that occurred Saturday in Roswell.

The mayor of Roswell asked Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to declare a state of emergency for Roswell and Chaves Counties.

The Roswell Air Center is closed and flights have been canceled for both Sunday and Monday due to the storm. Authorities will re-evaluate weather conditions on Monday to determine if flights will resume, according to a spokesperson with the City of Roswell.

ROSWELL, New Mexico (KVIA) - New Mexico State Police confirm two people have died as a result of the flooding experienced by the City of Roswell, New Mexico Saturday evening.

Roads into Roswell remain closed. Vehicles are able to leave the area, but will not be allowed to reenter.

NM State Police says the bridge at NM 409 was beginning to collapse near the milepost 3.

A shelter has been set up at the Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds. They are allowing livestock and animals in crates.

The Public Information Officer for the City of Roswell stated rescue efforts took place throughout Saturday night and have continued into Sunday morning.

While water levels receded in many parts of Roswell, they are reported to still remain high in the downtown and areas along the Spring River channel that overflowed.

The city reports dozens of motorists were stranded and first responders were busy with rescues. Some drivers had to wait on top of their vehicles as they were covered by water.

Many vehicles were swept by the strong water currents into the river channel. Search-and-rescue efforts were still undergoing Sunday.

Several area law enforcement and emergency crews responded to help with the efforts.

The city spokesman says flood waters have affected many homes and buildings.

This is a developing story and will be updated on-air and online as information becomes available.