Severe flooding in southeastern New Mexico has left two dead and prompted widespread evacuations as authorities worked to rescue hundreds of people trapped by rapidly rising waters.

In the wake of record rains and severe flooding over the weekend, New Mexico National Guard officials said 309 people have been rescued since Saturday, with 38 taken to hospitals for treatment of undisclosed injuries. In addition, New Mexico State Police said two people died as a result of the flash flood, but information about the victims or the circumstances of their deaths remains unclear.

The weekend saw unprecedented rainfall in Roswell, with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque reporting 5.78 inches of rain, eclipsing the previous record set in 1901 of 5.65 inches. The floods have devastated the area, inundating homes and businesses and leaving many stranded as roads become impassable.

Among those caught in the crash was Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington, who found himself standing on top of his vehicle, engulfed by rising water, according to Albuquerque’s ABC affiliate KOAT-TV.

The sheriff’s escape was one of several daring rescues carried out by first responders, who worked non-stop as several homes and businesses began flooding Saturday evening. According to local authorities, seven people were rescued after a car was swept away by water, while other vehicles were swept into a river channel.

Newsweek contacted the New Mexico National Guard for comment via email on Monday.

The recent flooding has mobilized significant resources, including the New Mexico National Guard. As water levels continued to rise, authorities established an emergency shelter at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds for those displaced by the flooding.

In addition, Guard officials said they “will remain on duty to assist Roswell as long as necessary” with 57 Guardsmen on the ground, adding that the Guard had several tactical vehicles on site capable of operating in four feet of water to drive.

“We worked through the night and continue to collaborate with rapid water rescue teams and other partner organizations to get our fellow citizens to safety,” Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of the New Mexico National Guard, said in a statement.

As rescue efforts continue, Roswell public information officer Todd Wildermut told KOAT that another major concern is street debris and the potential damage it could cause.

“The main thing impacting the public on the streets right now is debris. It was washed around, blown around from trees being knocked over to electric bowls being knocked over,” Wildermut said.

In addition, Roswell City Councilwoman Cristina Arnold said it could take months or even years to recover from this damage, but she said the city has been making preparations, taking note of recent work during this summer’s major wildfires in the village of Ruidoso.

“We just did a lot of assistance with the Ruidoso fires, so obviously we have a good strategic plan in place, and I think those who are displaced or need help should actually be pretty safe because we’ll be prepared for it. ,” Arnold told KOAT.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.