Albuquerque residents Stephanie and Robert Saavedra informed ABC affiliate KOAT-7 that they and their three youngsters have been amongst these stranded on the caverns for a number of hours.

They informed the information outlet that their household was midway completed with their tour when park officers issued an evacuation order.

The household walked for about 20 minutes to the caverns’ guests middle constructing however discovered that roads have been impassable outdoors, which means they might not depart.

Because the Saavedra household waited to be rescued, they paced and anxious about meals. Stephanie Saavedra informed KOAT-7 that staffers provided meals on the market however ran out.

Stephanie Saavedra didn’t reply to The Washington Submit’s request for remark Sunday.

Carlsbad Caverns was closed Sunday, in response to the Nationwide Park Service.

New Mexico State Police, the Eddy County Hearth Division and the Eddy County Sheriff’s Workplace aided within the evacuation of those that have been stranded by the substantial downpour, which left “about 200 folks” stranded there, in response to the Eddy County Workplace of Emergency Administration.

Their extraction got here the identical week as different search and rescue efforts within the Southwest, the place flooding has endangered hikers and different outdoor fans.

Final week, Arizona firefighters rescued 25 folks, together with three youngsters and one toddler, in Sabino Canyon Recreation Space’s Bear Canyon, in response to the Arizona Every day Star. Water was transferring at greater than 3,000 cubic toes per second, Coronado Nationwide Forest officers mentioned.

Authorities have been trying to find a Tucson lady this weekend after floodwaters rushed via Zion Nationwide Park on Friday, CNN reported. Zion Nationwide Park is almost 600 miles away from Carlsbad Caverns and greater than 300 miles from Tucson.