Ruidoso, New Mexico Hit by Devastating Flash Floods; 3 Missing as House Swept Away
Ruidoso, New Mexico Hit by Devastating Flash Floods; 3 Missing as House Swept Away
A mountain village in southern New Mexico, Ruidoso, is grappling with the immediate aftermath of severe flash flooding that erupted Tuesday, leaving at least three people missing and an entire house swept downstream. Monsoon rains triggered the sudden deluge, prompting emergency crews to conduct at least 85 swift water rescues, aiding residents trapped in homes and vehicles.
While no fatalities have been reported immediately, three individuals were hospitalized in stable condition following the unprecedented event. As floodwaters receded by Tuesday night, search and rescue teams, supported by the National Guard, intensified efforts to locate the missing. Public works crews are simultaneously clearing debris from roadways, where numerous cars remain stranded in mud.
The Rio Ruidoso, which surged nearly 19 feet in minutes, reached a preliminary record high of over 20 feet. Officials had urged residents to seek higher ground as the waters rose. The area’s vulnerability to such intense flooding has been heightened by recent wildfires, which stripped vegetation and left burn scars unable to absorb rainfall, leading to rapid runoff.
The community is reeling, with Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford encouraging residents to use emergency lines for missing loved ones. The sight of a house, with a familiar turquoise door, floating downriver was a heartbreaking moment for local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter, whose friend’s family owned the home. Three shelters have opened to assist displaced residents as the community begins to assess the full extent of the damage from this catastrophic event.
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