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Record Rainfall Prompts Rescues

A National Guard Blackhawk helicopter and other first responders have been dispatched to southeastern New Mexico to help evacuate dozens of campers stranded by floodwaters along the Pecos River.

The river became swollen Thursday due to record rainfall.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the area and a flash flood watch for much of the rest of New Mexico as waves of rain continued to pass over the state.

Meteorologist Kerry Jones says it's likely some areas could see 6 to 10 inches of rain through the weekend.

Officials say areas with recent wildfire burn scars and mountain slopes — and places downstream from those areas — are particularly vulnerable.

American Red Cross volunteers have opened shelters in three counties to help residents and motorists stranded by the floodwaters.

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