Tragedy struck a mountain village in southern New Mexico, where three individuals lost their lives due to severe flash flooding caused by monsoon rains. This area is typically a favored summer retreat, but officials reported that the flood was so powerful it swept an entire house downstream.
The village of Ruidoso confirmed that a man and two children were among the victims on Tuesday. There were also reports of three individuals missing, although it wasn’t clear if they matched the identities of the deceased.
Daniel Silva from the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Management Office noted that the flood occurred in Ruidoso, where emergency crews conducted at least 85 rapid water rescues, helping people trapped in homes and vehicles.
By Tuesday night, waters had receded, allowing search and rescue teams to continue their efforts. Meanwhile, public works crews worked to clear road debris, though some cars remained stuck in the mud.
Silva added that several National Guard rescue teams were already deployed in the area prior to the flood, with additional support expected as well.
This disaster follows a recent, devastating series of flash floods in Texas that resulted in over 100 fatalities and left more than 160 people unaccounted for.
In New Mexico, the Rio Ruidozo saw a rapid rise, topping almost 19 feet in just minutes due to heavy rains. Authorities urged residents to seek higher ground as the National Weather Service issued flood warnings for areas stripped of vegetation from prior wildfires.
Flood gauges captured the dramatic rise in the river’s water levels, which exceeded its banks and inundated surrounding forests. Streets and bridges were subsequently closed as a precaution.
Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist from Ruidoso, shared her experience of witnessing a house she recognized floating away, which belonged to a close friend’s family. Thankfully, her friend’s family was not home at the time.
“I have so many memories tied to that house, so seeing it go down the river… it was heartbreaking,” she reflected.
During a radio announcement, Mayor Lyn D. Crawford urged residents to report if their loved ones or neighbors went missing. He also mentioned sightings of dead horses near the town’s racetrack.
“We knew there was a flood… and this has impacted us more than we anticipated,” Crawford stated, emphasizing the heightened vulnerability of the area to flooding since a series of wildfires in the summer of 2024 that resulted in significant destruction.
Silva remarked on the concerning water levels this season, indicating that many new areas were experiencing flooding that didn’t occur last year.
Matt DeMalia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, explained that the storm began over terrain affected by prior wildfires, which couldn’t absorb the rainfall, causing it to rush into the river instead.
Preliminary readings suggested that the Rio Ruidozo had risen beyond 20 feet, though this was yet to be officially confirmed.
In response to the crisis, three shelters were established in Ruidoso for residents unable to return to their homes.
Corey, who works at Downshift Brewing Company, noted the influx of residents seeking refuge as the river surged alarmingly close to the windows. He remarked that the loss of homes was just one of many tragic outcomes of the day.
Carpenter recalled how flooding had destroyed her art studio in the previous year, and as she stood outside, the air was filled with the smell of gasoline, mingling with the sound of trees crashing into the river.
“It’s really frightening,” she said.
