At least three people have tragically lost their lives in Ruidoso, New Mexico, following severe flash flooding brought on by intense rainfall. The area saw up to 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) of rain, leading to the Ruidoso River swelling to historic highs. As of Tuesday evening, search and rescue teams confirmed the deaths of a man and two children who were swept downstream.
Kerry Gladden, a spokesperson for the village, communicated the ongoing efforts of emergency crews, who have performed at least 50 swift water rescues. A hotline has been established for worried residents searching for missing loved ones. Three individuals received treatment for injuries at the local hospital, Ms. Gladden reported.
Footage shared by local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter vividly illustrated the chaos, showing a house being carried away by the rushing floodwaters. Mayor Lynn Crawford described the rapid escalation of the situation on local radio, stating, "It got ugly really quick," while still awaiting confirmation on the number of homes lost.
Authorities are currently assessing the full extent of the destruction in Ruidoso. The National Weather Service had previously warned of high flash flood risks in the area, pointing to "burn scars" from last year’s wildfires that render the soil highly water-repellent. These wildfires, which devastated southern New Mexico in June 2024, had led to evacuations and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Consequently, experts had anticipated heightened flash flood risks for up to two years due to the burned landscape. This news comes in the wake of Governor Greg Abbott’s updates on the aftermath of severe flash flooding in Texas, where the death toll has reached 109, with 161 individuals still unaccounted for.
