Butler County rescue crews deploy to New Mexico amid flooding

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, wearing a cowboy hat, participates in a huddle Wednesday, July 31, 2024, with the nine-member Emergency Response Services swiftwater/flood search and rescue team deploying to New Mexico. CONTRIBUTED

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, wearing a cowboy hat, participates in a huddle Wednesday, July 31, 2024, with the nine-member Emergency Response Services swiftwater/flood search and rescue team deploying to New Mexico. CONTRIBUTED

Rescue crews from Butler County are deploying to New Mexico to assist with ongoing flooding.

Sheriff Richard Jones announced his office’s Emergency Response Services has nine members leaving Wednesday who anticipate arriving in Ruidoso in Lincoln County, New Mexico, by Thursday evening.

The deployment is an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request from the state for a swiftwater/flood search and rescue team. The sheriff’s office will be able to file for reimbursement from the federal government for any costs related to the deployment, Jones said.

A flash flood emergency was issued Wednesday for Ruidoso as heavy rain falls in burn scar areas. Some areas have been evacuated and the public is asked to seek higher ground away from Rio Ruidoso, KOAT TV in Albuquerque reported.

Nine members of the Butler County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Services swiftwater/flood search and rescue team are deploying Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to New Mexico, to assist with ongoing flooding. CONTRIBUTED

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