New Mexico floods kill two, displace hundreds

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday authorized $1 million for emergency use in Chaves County following weekend flash flooding in the area, her office said. In addition to mobilizing those funds, Grisham also deployed units from the New Mexico National Guard to assist local authorities with evacuation, recovery, and rescue efforts.

What’s the damage from this flooding looking like? At least two people lost their lives from the floods and at least 38 more have suffered injuries, Grisham’s office said. First responders rescued more than 300 people. Local authorities reported to Grisham’s office before she issued the emergency declarations that their resources were insufficient to address the situation. The National Guard rescued people from swift flood waters and checked submerged vehicles for people needing help.

Roswell Mayor Tim Jennings told The Source New Mexico that the damage to infrastructure was catastrophic. Even so, water remained potable in the area, The Source reported. Heavy rainfall that drenched the area at incredible speed contributed to the flooding, the outlet added.

Dig deeper: Listen to Grace Snell’s report on The World and Everything in It podcast about seeing God work after a recent hurricane pummeled Asheville, N.C.