Texas floods now more deadly than Hurricane Harvey as death toll hits 119 & New Mexico homes also swept away in storms
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THE death toll from the devastating Texas floods has now surpassed the number of people killed in Hurricane Harvey.
At least 119 people have died and 161 more are missing after catastrophic flash floods swept through central Texas, officials announced on Wednesday.
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A house is carried away by flash flooding in New Mexico
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Survivors visit the Guadalupe River after floodwaters receded on July 8, 2025
Credit: Getty
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Streets have turned into rivers in the mountain town of Ruidoso, NM
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A man searching a flood zone along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, on July 8, 2025
Credit: EPA
The devastating floods have claimed more lives than Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that devastated Texas in 2017, killing 107 people in total.
As Texas is left reeling from the emergency while search efforts continue, deadly storms also brought destruction to New Mexico on Tuesday.
At least three people were killed when the mountain town of Ruidoso was hit with a sudden flash flood on Tuesday afternoon.
Videos shared online showed homes being swallowed by raging waters and being swept away as streets turned into rivers.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Albuquerque warned, 'A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!
'Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!'
The flooding, fuelled by heavy rains on wildfire-scarred land, sent the Ruidoso River surging 15 feet in an hour, reaching a possible record 20.24 feet.
Emergency crews have launched nearly 100 swift-water rescues since the flash flood emergency was declared Tuesday afternoon.
Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford called the flooding "catastrophic" in a radio interview on Tuesday night.
He said, 'This one hit us harder than we were expecting.'
What we know so far...
At least 119 people lost their lives and more than 161 people are still missing
Weather forecasts show there's a chance for more rain today in Texas Hill Country
At least three people have died in flash flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Families of Camp Mystic girls were sent a chilling note letting them know if their daughters lived or died
Haunting pictures show empty bunks after 27 girls and counselors were killed
Trump is set to visit Texas on Friday as Karoline Leavitt hits back at 'depraved lie' against US President
Dad dies in floods after refusing to let go of still-missing sons
Other victims include the niece of the Kansas City Chiefs' owners, and sisters who were found dead with their hands locked together
As dangerous weather continue to sweep through America, Governor Greg Abbott vowed that first responders 'will not stop until every person is accounted for.'
President Trump is set to visit Texas on Friday, though his administration has come under fire amid claims that National Weather Service staffing cuts may have delayed warnings.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding an investigation into whether vacancies and outdated systems contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, called the accusations 'a depraved lie,' insisting the NWS 'did its job' and the floods were 'an act of God.'
Read our Texas floods blog for the latest updates...
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