Guard Rescues 80 Animals From Socorro County Floods
New Mexico National Guard and Oklahoma Task Force 3 evacuated livestock and three people stranded near San Antonio on October 28.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Emergency Response
On October 28, New Mexico National Guard members working with Oklahoma Task Force 3 rescued 80 animals and three people from floodwaters near San Antonio in Socorro County. The operation followed several weeks of unusually heavy rainfall across New Mexico.
Why it matters
The rescue shows how sustained rainfall can leave rural residents and their livestock stranded far from easy access, requiring specialized swiftwater teams. For readers in San Antonio, it highlights the flood risks that followed the region's recent weather.
Rescuers evacuated 80 animals and three adults during an operation running from about 10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. on October 28, with 78 goats among the rescued. Information on remaining stranded residents and total flood damage was not provided.
The players
New Mexico National Guard
The state's military reserve force, which provides emergency support during disasters and worked alongside Oklahoma Task Force 3 in the San Antonio rescue.
Oklahoma Task Force 3
A swiftwater rescue unit that deployed to New Mexico to assist with the flood evacuation.
The details
Thick vegetation along the flooded Rio Grande prevented the herd from moving together, so each of the 78 goats had to be caught and carried onto a boat. Three adults who had been helping the stranded animals were also evacuated, and the rescued goats were nicknamed the "Bleat Brigade" by the National Guard.
Timeline
Several weeks before October 28: unusually heavy rainfall caused flooding across New Mexico.
October 28, about 10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.: rescue operation carried out near San Antonio.
Seasonal Patterns
The rescue came after several weeks of unusually heavy rainfall across New Mexico, placing it within a flood season that stood out against typical late-October conditions in the state. Data comparing this season to historical averages for the region was not provided in the source.
Residents in flood-prone areas near the Rio Grande should monitor official county alerts and avoid driving through floodwaters. Livestock owners should plan for rapid relocation when heavy rainfall is forecast.
The takeaway
Flood rescues in rural areas often depend on specialized teams able to reach stranded people and animals through difficult terrain. Keeping livestock and emergency supplies ready before storms can reduce the need for such operations.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Emergency Response in San Antonio.
