Robust winds pummeled Chaves County for the second time in less than a month Wednesday, inflicting damage on some property, and creating hazardous conditions for drivers.
Two people are in serious but stable condition after a two-vehicle accident in Hagerman Wednesday morning.
Justin Powell, fire chief with Dexter Fire & Rescue said his department, along with crews from Hagerman, the city of Roswell Fire Department and District 8 — a county department composed mainly of inmates and correctional officers from the Roswell Correctional Center — all assisted in response to the accident. Powell said first responders spent at least 15 to 20 minutes trying to extract a person from one of the vehicles.
He added that he does not know if winds were a factor in the accident, but decreased visibility caused by the winds did delay response times because much of the time, crews could not see where they were going.