The incident was reported at approximately 6:30 a.m. after the woman became stranded on the roof of her partially submerged vehicle.
Source: N.M. National Guard (via Facebook)
By By Hank Minitrez, New Mexico National Guard Public Affairs Director
Photos: Courtesy Doña Ana County Public Safety
RADIUM SPRINGS, N.M. — New Mexico National Guard personnel joined local first responders early Wednesday, Sept. 30, to rescue a woman stranded atop her vehicle in 4 to 5 feet of floodwater near Mile Marker 18 in the Rio Grande corridor between Rincon and Radium Springs.
The incident was reported at approximately 6:30 a.m. after the woman became stranded on the roof of her partially submerged vehicle.
Guard personnel and local emergency responders departed Rincon at 6:35 a.m. and arrived near the Rio Grande shortly after 7 a.m.
Eight responders — including two New Mexico National Guard members, four fire and water rescue personnel, one sheriff’s office representative and one Rincon Fire Department responder — boarded a Guard Light Medium Tactical Vehicle to reach the stranded motorist.
The LMTV departed the rally point at 7:23 a.m., navigating the flooded area before the team established visual and voice contact with the woman seven minutes later.
The water rescue team entered the water at 7:32 a.m. and began the extraction.
Within five minutes, the woman was safely removed from the roof of her vehicle and brought aboard the LMTV.
The team returned to the rally point at 7:52 a.m., where the woman was evaluated.
She sustained no injuries and required no additional medical treatment. No responders were injured.
“Today’s rescue demonstrates exactly why we train alongside our local and state partners and maintain the capability to respond when New Mexicans need us,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of New Mexico. “Our Soldiers and Airmen bring unique capabilities to these situations, but successful operations like this are truly a team effort. I’m proud of the professionalism of everyone involved and grateful that both the citizen and our responders returned safely.”
The operation concluded approximately one hour and 23 minutes after the Guard team departed Rincon.
Wednesday’s rescue occurred in the same general area where emergency personnel operated the previous day, underscoring the continuing hazards created by recent flooding.
The New Mexico National Guard is providing high-water extraction capabilities in support of civil authorities.
Doña Ana County officials will assess flood damage and determine any additional local response requirements.
The Guard continues to coordinate personnel and resources through the Joint Operations Center and remains prepared to support civil authorities when requested.
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