Flash Flood Emergency issued for Roswell area, New Mexico
Flash floods hit the Roswell area in Chaves County, New Mexico after 102 to 178 mm (4 to 7 inches) of rain fell over the region on the night of Saturday, October 19, 2024, prompting emergency warnings for life-threatening flash floods across New Mexico, with Roswell area being the worst hit. At least 2 people have been killed and more than 300 rescued.
Vehicles wading through flooded streets of Roswell in Chaves County, New Mexico. Image credit: Alma Gentil
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for the Roswell area, Chaves County, at around 21:00 local time on Saturday after 102 – 178 mm (4 – 7 inches) of rain fell over the region.
Heavy Rainfall and flash floods have stranded several vehicles across the Roswell area and are expected to continue through Saturday night.
Several life-threatening Flash Flood Warnings have been issued across New Mexico, including all of Chaves County, due to continued heavy rains.
Satellite imagery shows a band of cold cloud tops, indicating strong and sustained storm activity. A strong upper-level low, nearly stationary over Arizona, is creating favorable conditions for storms and driving heavy rainfall in New Mexico by promoting upward air movement over eastern New Mexico.
The quasi-stationary front is directing moisture towards the southeast, facilitated by a strong low-level jet bringing moisture-laden air into the region, supporting the storms.
The storms are being fueled by moderate instability, with MLCAPE (Mixed Layer Convective Available Potential Energy) values between 500 – 1 000 J/kg, which measure the potential for storm development. However, this instability is slowly decreasing, meaning storm intensity may slightly weaken over time.
In Roswell, 18.5 mm (0.73 inches) of rain fell in just seven minutes on Saturday night, and 68.6 mm (2.7 inches) of rainfall was recorded in one hour, leading to flash floods in the region.
Although the instability is decreasing, with a drop of 200 – 400 J/kg over three hours, other factors such as strong upper-level support and moisture convergence are expected to maintain heavy rainfall.
Around 38 – 51 mm (1.5 – 2 inches) of rain is still possible in areas affected by the storm. An additional 76 – 102 mm (3 – 4 inches) of rain is expected overnight, leading to further flooding in the region.
The NWS warned that the storms are expected to redevelop and move over the region, urging citizens to avoid flooded roads.
Update
07:03 UTC, October 21
The Spring River Channel overflowed after record rainfall on Saturday, leading to extreme flooding in downtown Roswell.
Approximately 147 mm (5.78 inches) of rain fell over the region on Saturday alone, setting a new all-time daily record for the region, surpassing the previous record of 143.5 mm (5.65 inches) set on November 1, 1901.
At least two people have been reported dead, and nearly 300 have been rescued from the floods that struck the city.
The New Mexico National Guard reported 290 rescues, 38 of whom were sent to local hospitals afterward. They deployed around 60 personnel in the Roswell area to conduct search and rescue operations, which will continue as long as necessary.
Flights were canceled through Monday morning, October 21, at the Roswell Air Center. Authorities said that an assessment will be conducted before determining whether flights can resume on Monday morning.
According to Carter Greulich, a meteorologist at NWS Albuquerque, the rainfall that began on Friday, October 18, is expected to continue through Sunday. Several roads have been closed due to the floods.
References:
1 Mesoscale Precipitation Discussion 1107 – WPC – Issued at 16:10 UTC on October 20, 2024
2 2 dead after ‘historic’ deluge in New Mexico floods streets, homes – USA Today – October 21, 2024
3 Roswell flooding turns deadly as record-rainfall soaks New Mexico town – El Paso Times – October 21, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
I have two daughters that live in Roswell Nm. I myself live in Kentucky. I was told that their apts. we’re having water come in and they live in the summit appt. Complex. I would appreciate it if some one could find out if they are in any danger . Where can the people go if their places have water coming into their homes?