A New Mexico police officer was rescued from raging flood waters after becoming trapped on top of his patrol car. The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office posted a video on Facebook showing Sheriff Mike Herrington stranded on his patrol car roof surrounded by rushing water. Herrington warned residents to stay home and avoid the roads due to dangerous flooding.
New Mexico experienced record-breaking rainfall and flash flooding over the weekend, resulting in two deaths and 300 rescues by the New Mexico National Guard. Floodwaters entered homes and swept cars off the streets, leaving some people waiting for rescue on the roofs of their homes or vehicles. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared an emergency in Roswell and Chaves counties, allocating $1 million in state funding for flooding relief efforts.
As of Wednesday, several areas are still dangerous and inaccessible due to intense flooding and debris carried in by the water. Residents are advised to avoid driving on local streets when possible. The flooding has caused significant damage and disruption in the affected areas, with Governor Grisham’s emergency declaration aiming to provide support for cleanup and recovery efforts. Sheriff Herrington was rescued unharmed and the situation serves as a reminder of the importance of caution during extreme weather events like flash flooding.
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