Rescuers in brought three people and 80 animals to safety after floodwaters left them stranded near San Antonio, New Mexico. Among those needing help were 78 goats, each of which had to be caught and carried onto a boat.
Here's what to know
Ten New Mexico National Guard members worked alongside Oklahoma Task Force 3, which specializes in swiftwater rescue, during the Oct. 28 evacuation in Socorro County, east of San Antonio, according to Organ Mountain News.
The operation ran from about 10 a.m. to roughly 1:50 p.m. Along with the goats, crews rescued one mule, one dog, and three adults who had been helping the stranded animals before being evacuated themselves.
Moving the herd together was not possible. Thick vegetation along the flooded Rio Grande made the rescue more difficult.
The Oklahoma specialists' partners on the mission included personnel from both the Army and Air National Guard.
More background
Residents in the Escondida, Pueblito, and San Francisco areas also needed rescue and evacuation assistance during Socorro County's broader flood response. According to Organ Mountain News, the San Antonio evacuation followed several weeks of unusually heavy rainfall in New Mexico.
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The conditions were visible in photographs the New Mexico National Guard shared on Facebook, showing personnel standing in deep, muddy water beside a military vehicle.
The safe evacuation of people and animals drew praise for the crews in the comments.
"I really appreciate the commitment, patience, and sheer muscle it takes to handle that many skeptical goats," one person said.
The name the Guard affectionately gave the rescued goats was the "Bleat Brigade."
What's being done?
Engineering, medical, maintenance, and military police personnel all contributed to the San Antonio rescue. That mission was part of the National Guard's work assisting first responders and local emergency management agencies across New Mexico during the flooding, according to Organ Mountain News.
On the Army National Guard side, the 642nd Support Maintenance Company and 920th Engineer Construction Company took part, as did the 919th Military Police Company, New Mexico Medical Detachment, and 1209th Medical Company Area Support.
Representing the Air National Guard were the 150th Maintenance Squadron and 150th Medical Group.
"Disaster response always brings the unexpected, and today's mission in San Antonio was no exception. Thanks to the seamless teamwork between our Soldiers and Airmen and our Oklahoma swiftwater rescue partners, three New Mexicans and 80 animals are safe tonight," said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, New Mexico's adjutant general, emphasizing the importance of that coordination, per Organ Mountain News.
Where can I learn more?
In San Antonio, getting people and animals to safety took hours of teamwork, as it does in many other rescue efforts.
• New Mexico rafting guides turned their shop into a shelter for pets rescued from flooded homes.
• In Florida, a 24-hour trip moved 22 shelter dogs out of Hurricane Isaias' path.
• In Maryland, an officer and fisherman rescued a stray dog struggling in a river.
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