ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) – It's been more than a month since record flooding hit Roswell, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. Today, the city is still cleaning up piles of debris and trying to rebuild.  "This event was something I don't think anybody could really plan for. It came out of the blue; it really snuck up on these people," said Ali Rye, state director for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for New Mexico.  Story continues below Community: Corrales leaders warn residents about a rise in coyote attacks News: Experts say it’s time to increase the 911 surcharge in New Mexico by 99 cents Podcast: Why Are New Mexico’s Children At Risk? Trending: Albuquerque department sheds light on object attached to some parking meters After major floods ripped through Roswell the weekend of Oct. 19, flooding city streets and washing away cars, many neighborhoods are still feeling the impact. "We had about 7.5 and 10 inches, probably in about four hours. So this was a lot bigger than a 500-year storm, and I don't ever remember seeing something like that in my lifetime,” said Roswell Mayor Timothy Jennings. Jennings says more than 1,300 homes were impacted, and 650 had severe damage and may need to be destroyed. Close to 700 feet of sewer line was also impacted, and in some places, entire roads collapsed. The mayor added they estimate the total damage countywide is more than $150 million.  "There are a number of people that are displaced, that their homes were, you know, floated them off foundations, it devastated a lot of people," said Mayor Jennings. The city created a temporary debris management site to host debris from people's homes and businesses after the floods. The state's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has been helping with debris cleanup and removal for nearly three weeks. Crews collected items including appliances, damaged furniture, and tree branches. They also added they're already looking into mitigation efforts for future floods to prevent this level of devastation.  "Highering those levies, highering those dam structures, also to include cleaning out canals and ditches and culverts so that way the water is properly flowing; those items are already on our list," said Rye. Despite a long road to recovery, the mayor said he is hopeful. “We're not over this; we won't be over this for three or four years. But, our attitudes are good; we're going to get it done," Jennings explained. The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said debris collection is winding down, and they will be doing a final pick-up this Saturday. They say people should place debris out by Wednesday.