LINCOLN COUNTY, N.M. – Flash flooding in Hondo swept away 46 cows, cut off homes and left neighbors cleaning up as more rain keeps falling.
The New Mexico National Guard worked in Hondo with local authorities and supported neighbors as a flash flood warning remained in effect.
KOB 4 spoke with neighbors who said they are trying to rebuild while they brace for another storm. The Brown Family told us the water came in so quickly it was a race to get everything that they loved to safety.
Braxton Brown, 14, works with his father Robert Brown on their ranch. The 46 cows they cared for are gone after the river took them.
“When that water hit it basically took everything in its way and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Brown said. “It’s like quicksand. If something hits it, it’s just gonna go. It just sucks because all these people are out of homes, cars, and no one has flood insurance.”
Brown saved his horses from the flood and then checked on his neighbors.
A local who’s been living in Hondo for more than 25 years told us that a nearby creek bed is always dry, but about 5 inches of rain fell overnight and completely breached the banks of this creek. It washed out the road and stranded those two houses on the other side.
Hondo is a small town and neighbors are helping each other find belongings. The Browns also have an Escalade in their field.
“From what I’m hearing, we’re still in a flash flood zone, and no one’s gonna be able to do anything about it,” said Brown.
The New Mexico National Guard worked in Hondo with local authorities and supported neighbors as a flash flood warning remained in effect.
