In a tragic turn of events, at least three individuals were reported missing in a mountain village in southern New Mexico known for its popularity as a summer retreat. The flash flooding that struck on Tuesday was triggered by intense monsoon rains, resulting in devastating conditions, including an entire house being swept downstream.
Emergency crews have conducted a staggering 85 swift water rescues in the Ruidoso area, according to Danielle Silva from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This includes rescues of individuals trapped in their homes and vehicles. Although no fatalities have been reported thus far, Silva emphasized that the full extent of the destruction would only be assessed once the floodwaters recede.
Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford addressed the community during a radio broadcast Tuesday night, acknowledging the unexpected severity of the flooding. “We knew that we were going to have floods… and this one hit us harder than what we were expecting,” he stated. He also noted that some residents had been transported to local hospitals, though exact numbers remained unclear.
The flooding in Ruidoso comes on the heels of recent flash floods in Texas, which tragically claimed over 100 lives and left more than 160 individuals missing. Local officials urged residents to seek higher ground as the waters of the Rio Ruidoso surged nearly 19 feet within minutes due to heavy rainfall, prompting flood warnings from the National Weather Service.
Areas stripped of vegetation by recent wildfires have become particularly vulnerable to flooding. A weather service flood gauge, along with a companion video camera, captured the churning waters of the Rio Ruidoso overflowing its banks into the surrounding forest. Consequently, streets and bridges in the area have been closed to ensure public safety.
Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist residing in Ruidoso, was caught in the storm while riding her motorcycle through town on Tuesday afternoon. She sought refuge at the riverside Downshift Brewing Company, where approximately 50 others had also gathered. Carpenter began filming the debris rushing down the river when she spotted a house drifting by, identifiable by its distinctive turquoise door, belonging to the family of a close friend. Fortunately, her friend’s family was safe and not inside the house.
“I’ve been in that house and have memories in that house, so seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking,” Carpenter reflected. “I just couldn’t believe it.” Reports of dead horses near the town’s horse racing track were also shared by the mayor, further highlighting the catastrophic impact of the flooding.
Two National Guard rescue teams, along with several local teams, were already deployed in the area when the flooding began, with more teams expected to arrive. The region has been particularly susceptible to flooding since the summer of 2024, following the South Fork and Salt fires that devastated the forest and destroyed approximately 1,400 homes and structures. Residents who had previously fled from raging flames now face the daunting challenge of intense flooding.
“We know that the water levels seemed to be higher than they were last summer,” Silva stated. “It is a significant amount of water flowing throughout, some of it in new areas that didn’t flood last year.”
Matt DeMaria, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, explained that storms developed over terrain previously scorched by wildfire. The resulting burn scar was ineffective in absorbing much of the rain, causing water to rapidly flow downhill into the river. Preliminary measurements indicate that the Rio Ruidoso crested at over 20 feet, potentially marking a record high if confirmed, although the water levels were receding by Tuesday evening.
In response to the disaster, three shelters have opened in the Ruidoso area for residents unable to return to their homes. The situation has triggered painful memories for Carpenter, whose art studio was destroyed in a flood last year. The air was thick with the smell of gasoline, and the sounds of tree crashes echoed as the raging river swept away anything in its path.
