Ruidoso flooding prompts water rescues after people were trapped in homes, officials say
Three people died in the flooding, including a man estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old, a 7-year-old boy, and a 4-year-old girl. All three were reportedly swept downstream during the flooding event.
A flash flood emergency was triggered about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, by the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Hollywood, New Mexico remain under a flash flood warning until 7:15 p.m.
"A dangerous situation is unfolding in Ruidoso," the National Weather Service posted.
The Office of Emergency Management in Ruidoso urged people near Rio Ruidoso to move to higher ground immediately and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
Swift water teams were out conducting rescues in Ruidoso, along with fire crews and police, said Kerry Gladden, public information officer for the village of Ruidoso.
"There were water rescues that did happen today, along with people trapped in their homes with water around them," Gladden said.
The village of Ruidoso also provided a phone number, 575-637-0398, for families that may have been separated in the flooding. The Ruidoso Emergency Call Center is working to reunite people that may not be able to get in touch.
"We have lots of people separated because some were at work or at home," Gladden said. "We're providing a conduit so if anyone has been unable to make contact with a family member, we can help facilitate that."
The flash flood emergency was put into place as slow-moving storms dump water over South Fork Fire burn scars, said Mike Hardiman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in El Paso.
Up to three inches had fallen in the mountain areas as of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Hardiman said.
"It's not right over Ruidoso but on the burn scars in the mountains so that could flood into town," he said.
The village of Ruidoso warned burn scars from wildfires will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of streams, creeks, and ditches.
The Rio Ruidoso at the Hollywood gage — found along the Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs border —recorded a historic crest, according to the National Weather Service.
The river crested at 20.24 feet on Tuesday afternoon, compared to last year's crest of 15.86 feet.
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack is flooded, and Quarter horse trainer Marc Jungers said his barn took on four feet of water, submerging horses up to their knees.
"The track (Ruidoso Downs) is flooded. Mother Nature got us today. We just want to make sure the horses are OK and safe," Jungers said.
Quarter horse trainer Eric Valenzuela said the track is in poor condition and the jockeys' room was impacted. While his stables, located on higher ground, were spared major damage, he noted uncertainty about the remainder of the meet. Discussions are underway about possibly relocating races to Albuquerque or Hobbs.
The following sites will be used to provide temporary shelter during flooding:
The Ruidoso Community Center, 501 Sudderth Drive
ENMU-Ruidoso, 709 Mechem Drive (by Albertson's)
Angus Church of the Nazarene, 103 Bonita Park Road, Capitan.
Eddie Garcia, chief meteorologist with Albuquerque NBC affiliate KOB 4, shared a video on Facebook of a cabin being swept away by floodwaters.
"A HOUSE in Ruidoso was washed away in flood waters just 30 min to an hour ago. Flash flood emergency until 5:15. Seek higher ground if you live in the area," Garcia posted on Facebook just before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8.
Ruidoso resident and arborist Jesus Figueroa also shared several videos on Facebook capturing flash flooding rushing through roads and cabins in the afternoon hours of Tuesday, July 8.
Village of Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford stated on radio station 1490 KRUI that crews are currently searching for three people reported missing.
"Unfortunately…they're still doing a lot of assessments," Crawford said during an 8 p.m. update. "These events come on pretty quick…this one may be the worst one."
Apache Summit and Highway 70 remain open, as well as Sutter, though numerous other streets remain closed in the village.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Ruidoso flash flooding on Tuesday prompts water rescues
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