On June 29, the Town of Mountainair was hit by a torrential rainstorm that resulted in a rescue mission for two individuals and caused major damage to buildings around town.
Around 10:30 p.m., Torrance County dispatch got a call about two people and their dog being stuck in an arroyo on Red Bluff Road. The heavy rainfall made the terrain muddy and difficult to move the two rescue vehicles as they attempted to reach the victims. The rescue team’s brush truck got stuck in the mud and was followed up by another off-road vehicle getting stuck.
Mountainair EMS Chief Josh Lewis said he was surprised by how big the storm got.
“I’ve been in Mountainair for more than two decades and I’ve never seen rain come down like this ever before,” Lewis said.
According to Mountainair Fire Chief Josh Archuleta, it took a grader from Mountainair’s Public Works Department to help retrieve both vehicles. EMS then successfully rescued the two individuals and their dog.
Many Red Bluff Road residents gave details about the two people stuck in the arroyo. A person spotted the two driving the night before without their lights on. Another resident told EMS that they were visibly intoxicated.
After both people were pulled from the arroyo, the fire department got to work on taking care of damaged buildings around town. Lewis says the aftermath of the storm caused infrastructural water damage all over the town.
“The storm was very destructive and the flooding damaged a good amount of our town’s infrastructure like our buildings, roads, and land. I will be meeting with Fire Chief Josh Archuleta to evaluate what we can do better next time,” Lewis said.