New Mexico National Guard Swift Water Team Rescues Two Stranded on Submerged Pickup Truck in San Miguel County Floodwaters Near Ojitos Fríos Creek
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, NM — A New Mexico National Guard swift-water rescue team pulled two people to safety after they became stranded atop a submerged pickup truck in floodwaters in San Miguel County on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The occupants were in a Ford F-150 in Ojitos Fríos Creek near the intersection of County Road A20 and Paco Road when help was requested. Local emergency responders worked in dangerous water conditions while Guard personnel carried out the extraction.
The rescue ended without injury, according to the Guard’s account of the operation.
Floodwaters trapped the pickup near County Road A20 and Paco Road
The two people were stranded after floodwater around Ojitos Fríos Creek rose high enough to submerge the pickup truck and leave them on top of the vehicle. The situation unfolded near County Road A20 and Paco Road, where conditions were hazardous enough to require a specialized response.
Swift-water rescues are typically used when moving water makes it too dangerous for ordinary emergency crews to reach people safely. In this case, the Guard’s team was brought in because the stranded occupants could not get out on their own and the water posed immediate risks.
The operation depended on close coordination with local responders, who remained on scene while the rescue team worked through the flood conditions.
Volunteer fire departments and county agencies helped coordinate the rescue
The San Miguel County rescue involved a broad mix of local and state agencies. Alongside the New Mexico National Guard, the Sheridan, Gallinas and Cabo Lucero volunteer fire departments were part of the coordinated response.
Also involved were the San Miguel County Office of Emergency Management, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police District 2, NORCOM dispatch, the Las Vegas fire and police departments, and AMR Ambulance in Las Vegas.
The response shows how flood rescues often require multiple agencies to cover water operations, dispatch, medical support and scene safety at the same time.
Guard crews handled another flood mission during a busy week
The San Miguel County rescue was not an isolated call. The New Mexico National Guard said its personnel responded to flood-related missions in multiple parts of the state during the same week.
That broader workload suggests the Guard’s swift-water crews have been moving from one emergency to another as water conditions remained dangerous across New Mexico. The agency described itself as staying busy during the week of the rescue.
Although the Guard did not give a full list of those other calls in the information released, it made clear that the San Miguel County mission was part of a larger pattern of storm and flood response activity.
Why swift-water teams are called when flood conditions turn dangerous
Swift-water rescue teams are trained for emergencies involving fast-moving or deep water, where standard firefighting or ambulance units may not be able to reach victims safely. Their equipment and tactics are designed for unstable conditions that can change quickly.
That kind of specialized response is especially important when vehicles become trapped in floodwaters. Even a short stretch of moving water can be enough to disable a truck, block exits, or sweep a person away.
In this rescue, the Guard’s team was able to remove the two occupants while local responders remained engaged around the scene. The coordinated response limited the danger to everyone involved.
Flood rescues continue to require coordination across New Mexico
The operation in San Miguel County highlights how quickly flood emergencies can pull together state, county and volunteer resources. From dispatch and emergency management to fire, law enforcement and ambulance crews, each agency had a specific role in the rescue.
For communities in northern New Mexico, that kind of coordination can make the difference when rising water turns a roadway or creek crossing into a life-threatening hazard. The successful outcome in Ojitos Fríos Creek shows the value of having trained swift-water personnel available when conditions deteriorate.
With the National Guard also responding to other flood-related missions this week, the rescue underscores how active storm response can become when water hazards spread across multiple parts of the state.
