A severe flash flood in Ruidoso, New Mexico, has resulted in the deaths of three individuals after unusually heavy rainfall raised local river levels. Emergency services are continuing rescue operations, and the community is assessing the damage.
Tragic Flash Flooding Claims Lives in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Tragic Flash Flooding Claims Lives in Ruidoso, New Mexico
At least three fatalities reported as Ruidoso faces the aftermath of significant flash flooding.
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A devastating flash flood in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, has left at least three people dead as intense rainfall overwhelmed the area. Local officials confirmed that a staggering 8.8 cm (3.5 in) of rain fell, causing the Ruidoso River to swell to historical heights. Although the floodwaters have now receded, search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
The casualties include a man and two children swept away by the rushing waters, as reported by village spokesperson Kerry Gladden during a recent press briefing. Efforts are being made to locate missing persons, and a hotline has been established for families seeking information about their loved ones. Emergency responders in Ruidoso have performed over 50 swift water rescues, urging residents to evacuate to higher ground as flooding continued. Residents have been treated for various injuries at the local hospital.
Footage shared on social media by local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter captured the harrowing moment when at least one house was engulfed by floodwaters. Ruidoso's mayor, Lynn Crawford, lamented on a local radio station about the swift and destructive nature of the flood, saying: "It got ugly really quick.”
As the situation develops, assessments of the flood's damage in Ruidoso are still ongoing. The National Weather Service (NWS) had previously issued warnings concerning the heightened risk of flash flooding due to "burn scars" from wildfires in 2024 that left the soil incapable of absorbing water, effectively increasing the likelihood of significant flooding events in the area.
The announcement of flash flooding in New Mexico follows reports from Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott provided an update on the severe flooding that had ravaged parts of his state. With a death toll of 109 and 161 individuals still unaccounted for, both states are facing unprecedented challenges as climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
A devastating flash flood in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, has left at least three people dead as intense rainfall overwhelmed the area. Local officials confirmed that a staggering 8.8 cm (3.5 in) of rain fell, causing the Ruidoso River to swell to historical heights. Although the floodwaters have now receded, search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
The casualties include a man and two children swept away by the rushing waters, as reported by village spokesperson Kerry Gladden during a recent press briefing. Efforts are being made to locate missing persons, and a hotline has been established for families seeking information about their loved ones. Emergency responders in Ruidoso have performed over 50 swift water rescues, urging residents to evacuate to higher ground as flooding continued. Residents have been treated for various injuries at the local hospital.
Footage shared on social media by local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter captured the harrowing moment when at least one house was engulfed by floodwaters. Ruidoso's mayor, Lynn Crawford, lamented on a local radio station about the swift and destructive nature of the flood, saying: "It got ugly really quick.”
As the situation develops, assessments of the flood's damage in Ruidoso are still ongoing. The National Weather Service (NWS) had previously issued warnings concerning the heightened risk of flash flooding due to "burn scars" from wildfires in 2024 that left the soil incapable of absorbing water, effectively increasing the likelihood of significant flooding events in the area.
The announcement of flash flooding in New Mexico follows reports from Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott provided an update on the severe flooding that had ravaged parts of his state. With a death toll of 109 and 161 individuals still unaccounted for, both states are facing unprecedented challenges as climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
