A flash flood struck a mountain village in New Mexico, resulting in the loss of three lives and the destruction of a house.
SANTA FE, N.M.— An entire home was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer retreat, and the flash flooding in southern New Mexico, which was so intense that it killed three people, was triggered by monsoon rains, according to officials. According to a statement issued by the village of Ruidoso on
Tuesday, floodwaters carried away a man, a four-year-old daughter, and a seven-year-old boy. “The families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy have left us with broken hearts,” Mayor Lynn Crawford stated in the statement. “We are united in our sorrow and our dedication to providing mutual support as we confront this catastrophic loss together.”
It was not immediately apparent on Wednesday morning whether the three individuals who were reported missing earlier were the same as those who had passed away. According to Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, emergency personnel executed at least 85 swift water rescues in the
Ruidoso region, including those that involved individuals who were ensnared in their residences and vehicles. Kerry Gladden, the public information officer for Ruidoso, reported that three individuals were transported to the hospital and are currently in stable condition. By Tuesday evening, the water had receded, and swift water rescue and search and rescue teams were
conducting a thorough search of the town in search of the missing individuals. Public works personnel were also removing debris from the roadways. Certain automobiles were abandoned in the dirt. Silva stated that two National Guard rescue teams and numerous local teams were already present in the vicinity when the inundation commenced, and additional Guard teams were anticipated.
The floods occurred mere days after flash floods in Texas resulted in the deaths of over 100 individuals and the disappearance of over 160 others. Tuesday afternoon, officials in New Mexico advised residents to relocate to higher ground as the Rio Ruidoso’s waters surged by nearly 19 feet in a matter of minutes due to heavy rainfall.
The region was devoid of vegetation as a result of recent wildfires, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings. The churning waters of the Rio Ruidoso overflowed the river’s banks and entered the adjacent forest, as evidenced by a flood gauge and a companion video camera operated by the weather service.
In response, streets and bridges were closed. On Tuesday afternoon, Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist residing in Ruidoso, was traveling her motorcycle through the city when the storm intensified. She and approximately fifty others sought refuge at the riverside Downshift Brewing Company.
When she observed a house float by with a recognizable turquoise door, she began filming detritus rushing down the Rio Ruidoso. It belonged to the family of one of her closest acquaintances. She stated that her friend’s family was not present in the residence and is unharmed. Carpenter stated, “I have memories of that house and have been in it, so it was quite heartbreaking to witness it descend the river.”
“I was unable to take it in.” Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford urged residents to contact an emergency line if their loved ones or neighbors were missing during a radio address on Tuesday night. Additionally, he stated that there were reports of deceased horses in close proximity to the town’s horse racing facility. “We were aware that floods were imminent, and this one exceeded our expectations,
” Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford stated. Since the summer of 2024, when the South Fork and Salt fires destroyed an estimated 1,400 homes and structures by raging through tinder-dry forest, the region has been particularly susceptible to inundation.
Residents were compelled to evacuate due to a wall of flames, only to encounter severe inundation later in the summer. Silva stated, “We are aware that the water levels appeared to be higher than they were during the previous summer.” “There is a substantial volume of water flowing throughout, including in new areas that did not flood last year.”
According to Matt DeMaria, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, cyclones developed in the early afternoon over terrain that was scorched by wildfires last year. The burn scar was unable to absorb a significant amount of the rain, as the water rapidly ran downhill into the river. The Rio Ruidoso crested at over 20 feet, which would be a record high if confirmed, according to preliminary measurements.
It was receding as of Tuesday evening. Three sanctuaries were established in the Ruidoso region to accommodate individuals who were unable to return home. As the river overflowed and hail pelted the windows, Cory State, who is employed at the Downshift Brewing Company, welcomed dozens of residents.
“The house floating by was just one of the many devastating things about today,” he stated. Carpenter’s art studio was destroyed by a flood last year, and the sight evoked painful recollections. The river was causing the trees in its path to fall, and the air was reeking of gasoline. Loud collisions could be heard.
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