A family in Vado, New Mexico, recounted the moment they went into prayer as water began rising in their home after severe flooding hit the area.
Heavy rainfall brought over two inches of water to the region, located about 30 miles from El Paso, on Wednesday, July 23, leaving more than 600 homes without power and forcing dozens to seek shelter early Wednesday morning, including resident Briana Castro.
"It happened so fast that we thought it would stop," Castro said, "Then the water starts rising and you're just watching it and thinking 'what are we going to do.'"
Castro said rain initially began falling during her commute from work around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, but quickly accumulated at her family-owned 15-acre ranch, off of Presa Avenue.
"We didn't sleep and we were praying that it would stop — it didn't," Castro said. "We didn't know we were going to get out of this."
Roads were already impassable, so Castro gathered her children and animals and began walking to her mother-in-law's home, located near a drainage area. Her family is now staying put there until the mess left behind by the storms is cleaned up.
"Last night we were scared, asking ourselves 'oh my God, are we going to be okay,'" Castro said. "Today we're thinking how we have to rely on each other, so (our family) rented a pump, called the primos, and we're getting the horses out. We're just so grateful to God we made it out safe."
Power restored to Vado residents, shelter open
As of Wednesday morning, power was slowly being restored to hundreds of residents, while two people were transported to the hospital by rescue crews with minor injuries. At least 30 people sought shelter at the Vado Community Center overnight Wednesday, which remains open as an emergency evacuation center.
Multiple roads, including Interstate-10 frontage roads, were closed due to high water. Don?a Ana County Road crews are actively addressing priority roadway concerns.
Search operations began at midnight on Wednesday and concluded around 3 a.m., according to a Don?a Ana County news release. Search teams, including fire crews, swift water rescue teams, and the National Guard, were searching neighborhoods to ensure residents were accounted for and to assist anyone who needed rescue or medical attention.
A video shared by a Vado resident captures rushing water making its way towards homes after flooding overflows the banks of a pond.
Don?a Ana County has established a dedicated call center for residents impacted by flooding. The call center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached by dialing 2-1-1.
Anyone experiencing non-life-threatening flooding or utility issues are encouraged to call the non-emergency dispatch line at 575-526-0795.
Damage reports can be submitted online via the Rapid Property Damage Assessment tool at https://arcg.is/1zu4nj1.
This story is developing.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at [email protected], @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.