At least three individuals have died in Ruidoso, New Mexico, due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flash flooding that swept through the village. While assessments of the damage continue, local officials are still searching for missing persons.
Tragic Flash Flooding Claims Lives in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Tragic Flash Flooding Claims Lives in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Severe rainfall leads to fatalities and widespread damage as emergency crews respond to rescue efforts.
At least three people have lost their lives in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, following intense rainfall that resulted in devastating flash flooding. The area experienced up to 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) of rain, leading to the historical rise of the Ruidoso River. The floodwaters have since receded.
Local officials confirmed that a man and two children were swept away by the surging waters on Tuesday evening. Kerry Gladden, a spokesperson for the Village of Ruidoso, stated that search and rescue operations are still underway, with a hotline established for family members searching for missing loved ones. Emergency teams in Ruidoso have conducted at least 50 swift water rescues as residents were urged to evacuate to higher ground.
Three individuals have already received treatment for injuries at the local hospital, and as Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford noted during a local radio interview, the situation escalated rapidly. Social media footage shared by a local artist, Kaitlyn Carpenter, documented a house being swept away by the floodwaters, though Mayor Crawford was unable to provide information about the total number of homes lost in the disaster.
Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage, while the National Weather Service (NWS) had previously cautioned that two burn scars in the vicinity presented heightened risks for flash flooding. The burned soil from wildfires last summer would act similarly to pavement, repelling water. Ruidoso faced severe wildfires in June 2024, burning around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) and causing widespread evacuations. This summer's flooding has highlighted an increased risk of such natural disasters in the area, with reports indicating a heightened likelihood of significant floods for at least two years post-fire.
In a related note, the tragic news from New Mexico comes just hours after Texas Governor Greg Abbott updated the public on the aftermath of last Friday’s catastrophic flash floods, reporting a death toll of 109 individuals and 161 reported missing in Texas.
