Quick Hit:

Flash floods in Roswell, New Mexico, have claimed two lives, prompting a massive rescue operation. Record rainfall caused widespread damage and stranded hundreds of people.  
  
Key Details:

• Two people died after flash floods hit Roswell, New Mexico, on Saturday night.  
• Nearly 300 people were rescued by the National Guard after vehicles became stranded.  
• Roswell experienced 5.78 inches of rain, breaking its all-time daily rainfall record.  

Diving Deeper:  

Roswell, New Mexico, was hit by severe flash flooding this weekend, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and necessitating large-scale rescue operations. According to the New Mexico State Police, the flooding occurred late Saturday, with nearly 300 people saved by the National Guard after becoming trapped in floodwaters. Many residents had to wait atop vehicles as water levels rose, overwhelming roads and bridges.

The City of Roswell reported that numerous motorists were left stranded after their vehicles were either submerged or swept into a nearby river channel. Rescue operations continued into Sunday morning, with local fire and police departments working alongside state agencies and the National Guard to manage the crisis.

The National Weather Service declared a Flash Flood Emergency, its most severe level of alert, for Roswell on Saturday. Parts of the state saw between 4 and 9 inches of rain, leading the NWS to issue a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning, a rare alert given in heavily populated areas during extreme weather conditions.

Roswell broke its all-time daily rainfall record, with 5.78 inches of rain surpassing the previous record of 5.65 inches set in 1901. The heavy rain caused significant damage to homes and businesses, as floodwaters entered buildings and cut off several roads. Emergency services continued to carry out rescues throughout Sunday, with more rain expected to fall on already saturated ground, raising concerns about further flooding.  

Authorities, including the Chaves County Sheriff's Office, warned of the "extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation" and urged residents to avoid travel. As videos circulated showing rescues and submerged roadways, officials remained on high alert for additional rainfall through Monday.