Rushing floodwaters carried off a house in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Monday. NBC News
On Tuesday afternoon, a powerful downpour caused dangerous flash flooding in Ruidoso, a small village in southern New Mexico. The water rushed through streets, damaged homes, and forced emergency rescues.
The area had already suffered from wildfires last year. This new flooding made things worse for many residents still recovering.
Water Sweeps Through Town
Officials said the flooding was fast and dangerous. Homes got swept away, roads shut down, and many people needed help getting to safety.
Emergency crews rescued people trapped inside their homes and cars. They worked quickly as water levels rose. The exact number of rescues remains unknown.
Flash Flood Emergency Announced
The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso. They warned people to move to higher ground and avoid driving through the rising water.
“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!” the weather service said online. “Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT drive through floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!”
Raging Waters After Intense Rain
Meteorologists reported that over 2.5 inches of rain fell in the area. This is the same area where the South Fork fire burned more than 17,000 acres last year.
The sudden rain caused the Rio Ruidoso river to rise from 1.5 feet to over 20 feet in less than an hour. That’s a huge and very fast jump. The water level started to drop afterward, but the damage had already been done.
Three Injured, Many Rescued
As of Tuesday night, three people were in the hospital. They were all in stable condition, according to a local hospital spokesperson.
Emergency teams stayed busy with several rescues. Local officials didn’t give a number, but they confirmed it was a big effort.
Damage Still Being Assessed
The full damage from the flood is still unknown. Officials said areas along the Rio Ruidoso, including Ruidoso Downs and Glencoe, were among the worst hit.
Kerry Gladden, a spokeswoman for the village, said, “We are still checking on the full extent of what’s happened.”
Fire, Then Flood
The South Fork fire, started by lightning in June 2024, burned more than 17,000 acres in this same region. The land, now more exposed due to the fire, is more likely to flood during storms.
Experts say this kind of extreme weather event is not unusual in areas recovering from wildfire damage.
Community Response
Local emergency teams described the situation as “all hands on deck.” Everyone, from firefighters to police, worked together to handle the crisis.
Ruidoso’s tourism office also shared updates, saying the town was experiencing seasonal monsoon rains that triggered flooding.
