Guardsmen Help Rescue Flood Victims

ROSWELL, N.M. - The New Mexico National Guard, working with county and state agencies responding to extreme flooding in and around Roswell, has rescued over 300 people.

Over 75 New Mexico National Guard members remained on the ground Tuesday for this mission. After the flooding, the Guardsmen used over two dozen light medium tactical vehicles to evacuate people and transport them to safety. Thirty-eight people were taken to local hospitals. The light medium tactical vehicles can drive in up to 4 feet of water, making them an essential tool in these high-water rescues.

The Guard's Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, performed at least one swift water rope save, a skill they were trained in due to the Ruidoso floods. They also conducted more than 125 welfare checks to ensure residents were safe.

"We feel for the New Mexicans affected by this latest flooding in our state," said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the New Mexico National Guard's adjutant general. "Because of the previous flooding in Ruidoso, we have the experience and were ready for this. 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."

Now that the waters have receded, the Guard is helping to assess damage across the city.