Heavy rains in the Artesia area, falling steadily since Tuesday afternoon, have led to flooding in several locations around Eddy and Chaves Counties.
Crews with the Artesia Fire Department, the FLETC and other organizations began evacuating approximately 60 residents from the SKP RV Camp near Lakewood this morning by boat and helicopter.
The evacuees were bused to the Artesia Center, which is serving as a shelter at which people forced to leave their residences may obtain food and water.
In addition, a crew was reported to be waiting on a train stranded on the tracks in the Lakewood area due to floodwaters, and two people were rescued from a flooded vehicle near the Pecos River.
The National Weather Service regional office in Midland, Texas, reported flows in Rocky Arroyo near Carlsbad moving close to 12,000 cubic feet per second.
Near Hagerman, the Felix River bed was reported to be running bank to bank, as was the Berrendo River bed in Roswell, prompting numerous motorists to stop along the roadway to view a sight residents say they have not seen in decades.
More isolated thunderstorms have been forecast for the remainder of today, with rains moving off Friday.
