More rain, potential flooding expected in Chaves County

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, streams, streams and flood-prone areas,” the National Weather Service watch statement said. Flooding will also be possible in what the warning described as “vulnerable areas in Chaves County.”

Josh Schroeder, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Roswell Daily Record that the showers will likely begin between 18:00 and 21:00 on Friday before tapering off on Saturday morning and stopping completely at midday. He said there is an 80% chance of rainfall for the areas under the flood watch.

For Roswell and Chaves County, the news comes as residents continue to recover from record rainfall on Oct. 19, which led to flooding in Roswell and downstream communities that claimed two lives and led to millions of dollars in damage.

The city hopes to avoid another deluge, but is taking steps to protect residents.

“We’re expecting about two inches of rain Friday and Saturday, so we’re trying to prepare for that,” Roswell City Manager Chad Cole said.

A news release issued Thursday stated that some sand and bags are available to the public outside the Roswell Streets Department at 320 East Alameda St. People are asked to bring their own shovels to fill the bags and to respect others.

Cole said Thursday he was canvassing the entire city to find places where people could come to get more sandbags.

He added that the Spring River and Hondo River beds, which quickly filled with water and debris during flooding nearly two weeks ago, have since been cleared of all vehicles and large objects that could cause water to collect and spill out .