Severe flooding caused by monsoon rains has trapped multiple individuals, homes, and vehicles in the mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico. On Tuesday, emergency crews conducted at least 85 swift water rescues, assisting those stranded in their homes and vehicles, according to Danielle Silva from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported immediately, but Silva noted that the full extent of the damage would only be assessed once the waters recede.
The flooding resulted from dramatic rainfall that caused the Rio Ruidoso to rise nearly 2.7 metres within minutes. As weather conditions deteriorated, local officials urged residents to seek higher ground. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood warnings and reported footage of a house floating down the river shortly after the flooding began.
By 15:30 local time, the NWS had confirmed that a “father and two children” were washed away, prompting emergency crews to respond promptly. Just ten minutes later, multiple rescues were underway at Gavilan Trailer Park, where homes were being displaced by the rising waters. By 17:25, an adult and two children were reported trapped and required rescue by a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV).
The Rio Ruidoso’s surge was exacerbated by recent wildfires that stripped vegetation from the area, which typically helps absorb rainfall. Matt DeMaria, a meteorologist with the NWS in Albuquerque, explained that storms developed over regions scorched in previous years. With the burn scar unable to absorb much rain, water rapidly flowed downhill into the river, leading to unprecedented flooding.
Preliminary data indicated that the Rio Ruidoso crested at approximately 6 metres above its normal level, which, if confirmed, would mark a record high. As of Tuesday evening, the river was beginning to recede, but the immediate impact on the community was severe. Three shelters opened in the Ruidoso area for residents unable to return home.
Local resident Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist in Ruidoso, witnessed the devastating effects firsthand. While seeking shelter at the Downshift Brewing Company, she filmed debris rushing down the river and recognized a house with a turquoise door belonging to a close friend’s family, who were thankfully not inside at the time. “Seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking,” Carpenter told the Associated Press. “I just couldn’t believe it.”
The flooding in New Mexico follows a deadly series of flash floods in Texas during the July Fourth holiday weekend, where over 100 people lost their lives. As of now, more than 160 individuals are still unaccounted for in Texas, according to Governor Greg Abbott. In a press conference, Abbott emphasized, “We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the flooding, support is mobilizing. President Donald Trump pledged to provide whatever assistance Texas needs to recover from recent disasters. Local emergency response teams, including two National Guard units, were already present and additional resources were expected to arrive as the situation unfolded.
With memories of past flooding still fresh, the residents of Ruidoso face a challenging recovery ahead, their resilience tested once again by nature’s fury.
