New Mexico flash floods: Severe flooding kills 3 in Ruidoso, sweeps away home following heavy rainfall
1. A flash flood emergency was declared in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday amid heavy rainfall that caused an entire house to be swept downstream.
2. By Tuesday night, the water had receded, and search and rescue operations began, while public works crews cleared debris from the roadways. Heavy flooding was reported in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
3. Two children, aged four and seven, along with a man, were swept downstream and were found dead later in the mountain resort village, the report said.
4. Visuals have emerged online that show an entire house, uprooted from its foundations, careening downstream through the muddy waters amid the flash floods in Ruidoso, sideswiping trees along the way, according to an Instagram post shared by BBC.
5. Speaking about the video, Danielle Silva, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told Reuters, 'I've seen the video. We don't know if anyone was in the house.' A house is carried away by flash flooding in Ruidoso on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
6. Emergency teams, coordinated by local law enforcement and the National Guard, carried out at least 85 swift-water rescue operations in Ruidoso and the surrounding areas. Many of these involved people stranded in cars and homes due to rising floodwaters, Silva stated.
7. Silva further informed that the river rapidly rose to a provisional peak of 20.24 feet (6.2 metres) during the flood. As the waters started to recede in the evening, authorities began searching the debris for survivors.
8. The recent floods struck just four days after a deadly flash flood caused by heavy rains along the Guadalupe River, resulting in at least 109 deaths, while several people went missing amid the destroyed parts of the Texas Hill Country. Ruidoso, a popular summer vacation location and ski resort situated in the Sierra Blanca.
9. In New Mexico, Silva explained that the intensity of the debris flow was increased due to a landscape scarred by flames and devoid of vegetation after a wildfire, which was then followed by flooding that caused erosion soil.
10. Ruidoso, a popular summer vacation location and ski resort situated in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of south-central New Mexico, is approximately 115 miles (185 km) south of Albuquerque, the largest city in the state.
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Economic Times
14 hours ago
- Economic Times
New Mexico flooding: Emergency declared - track maps, road closures and all the details
Synopsis New Mexico is grappling with a state of emergency due to severe flooding, particularly in Ruidoso, triggered by monsoon rains. The catastrophic event has resulted in forced evacuations, road closures, and extensive damage to homes and businesses. Tragically, three lives were lost, and record-breaking river levels have been recorded, prompting the governor to seek federal aid for recovery efforts. Reuters A view shows flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S., July 8, 2025, in this screen grab taken from a handout video, United States Geological Survey (USGS)/Handout via REUTERS New Mexico is under a state of emergency as severe flooding is sweeping across the state, as per a report. The flooding has led to forced evacuations, closed roads, and threatened homes and businesses, according to a Newsweek report. The flooding in New Mexico came after a flash flood emergency was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday, which warned of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels, as per the report. It is part of a broader pattern of devastating weather in the American Southwest this summer, as reported by Newsweek. ALSO READ: Meet Kevin Hassett, White House economic adviser, who may be the next chair of the US Federal Reserve The floods were triggered by storms that arrived during the region's monsoon season, which goes on from late June through early September, which leads to sudden downpours that can cause flash floods, according to the Newsweek report. Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said that Tuesday's monsoon flood was one of the worst he had seen, as quoted by Newsweek. While the New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency declaration request on Tuesday night to seek federal aid to help Ruidoso recover, according to the report. She said, "Ruidoso endured devastating wildfires and flooding last summer, and now catastrophic flooding is hitting this resilient community again. This crisis demands immediate action," as quoted by READ: Billionaires ditch Nvidia for this AI stock that's soared 2,000% since 2023Local officials in New Mexico confirmed to Newsweek that a man in his 40s or 50s and two young children, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, were killed in Tuesday's flooding, while three victims were "swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck" the village, as quoted in the report. While more than 50 people were rescued by emergency crews, according to the Newsweek report. Mayor Crawford said "Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy," as quoted in the report. ALSO READ: UBS reveals top European stocks to watch ahead of Q2 earnings — are you holding any? While speaking on local radio on Tuesday night, Crawford shared that there were reports of mudslides and gas leaks at homes that had been washed away or severely damaged and described the condition as "catastrophic" for his small mountain community, adding that multiple bridges had been underwater and there had been more than two dozen swift-water rescues, as reported by flooding comes as Rio Ruidoso increased to a record-breaking 20 feet, which was five feet higher than the previous record, according to the report. The National Weather Service's data had found that Albuquerque put the river's crest at 20.24 feet on Tuesday afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 15.86 feet set in July 2024, as reported by Newsweek. ALSO READ: World's largest copper producer known for its breathtaking views may suffer from Trump's tariff bombshell According to Newsweek, the interactive maps by show the affected areas and the severity of the New Mexico is New Mexico under a state of emergency?Because flash floods have devastated areas like Ruidoso, damaging homes, closing roads, and taking lives, as per the Newsweek report. What caused the flooding in Ruidoso? Heavy rains during New Mexico's monsoon season, combined with wildfire-scarred land that can't absorb water, led to rapid and severe flooding, as per the Newsweek report.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Ruidoso flood horror: House swept away, 3 dead including kids as flash rains trigger dozens of rescues across New Mexico
On Tuesday, severe monsoon rains triggered flash floods in Ruidoso, a mountain resort village in south-central New Mexico. Local officials declared a flash flood emergency after water levels rose rapidly, sweeping away an entire house. Three people—a 4-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, and an adult man—were found dead downstream, confirmed by village authorities. Swift-water rescues and emergency response By evening, the floodwaters began receding, allowing rescue teams to intensify their search. According to Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at least 85 swift-water rescue operations took place. Responders assisted stranded residents in cars and homes, and three more people were hospitalized in stable condition, according to Ruidoso Public Information Officer Kerry Gladden. Local law enforcement, National Guard units, and public works crews coordinated the response, clearing debris from roads and rescuing those trapped. Silva noted the Rio Ruidoso reached a provisional peak of 20.24 feet, inundating the village and stranding vehicles in thick mud. Uprooted home magnifies scale of damage Social media posts, including an Instagram share by the BBC, captured images of a house torn from its foundation and carried by the floodwaters. Danielle Silva commented on the footage, stating: 'I've seen the video. We don't know if anyone was in the house.' A local resident, artist Kaitlyn Carpenter, witnessed the house floating past and recognized her friend's turquoise door. The home was unoccupied, and the family remained safe, she added. Mayor and officials urge vigilance Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford, speaking on local radio Tuesday night, urged residents to report missing loved ones and noted that horses were found dead near the horse-racing track. He acknowledged that the community expected flooding—but added, 'this one hit us harder than what we were expecting.' In response, shelters opened across Ruidoso for residents unable to return home. Public works teams began clearing main roads, while authorities intensified search and rescue operations amid rising debris and blockages. Regional context: Wildfire, erosion & recent flooding This flood struck Ruidoso less than a week after fatal flash floods in Texas's Guadalupe River basin, which claimed at least 109 lives. Silva noted that Ruidoso's recovery was hampered by a recent wildfire, which removed vegetation and increased erosion, worsening debris flow during heavy rain. The burn-scarred terrain allowed water to rapidly funnel into the Weather Service meteorologist Matt DeMaria reported that summer thunderstorms formed over wildfire-scarred terrain, producing unusually heavy runoff. The Rio Ruidoso reportedly exceeded 20 feet, matching or breaking previous records. Flash Flood New Mexico: Massive Flash flood emergency with a 20 foot flood wave, debris flow and homes floating down the Rio Ruidoso River!Officials report the Rio Ruidoso River rose 20 feet in 30 minutes. This is a developing story. Community impact and ongoing cleanup Businesses like Downshift Brewing Company sheltered about 50 residents, including Carpenter, who described the scene as 'pretty terrifying.' Debris, downed trees, and petrol odors filled the air during the cleanup. Public works crews and emergency teams continue to clear roads and waterways. Three shelters remain open to support affected residents as officials monitor water levels and rebuild infrastructure. Ruidoso floods expose wildfire-related vulnerabilities amid monsoon rains, prompting emergency action as communities cope with urgent rescues and damage.
Mint
18 hours ago
- Mint
New Mexico flash floods: Severe flooding kills 3 in Ruidoso, sweeps away home following heavy rainfall
Heavy rains caused flash floods in New Mexico on Tuesday, resulting in three deaths, including two young children, while dozens of homes and vehicles were trapped in the resort village of Ruidoso, reported Reuters, citing a state emergency official and a village statement. 1. A flash flood emergency was declared in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday amid heavy rainfall that caused an entire house to be swept downstream. 2. By Tuesday night, the water had receded, and search and rescue operations began, while public works crews cleared debris from the roadways. Heavy flooding was reported in Ruidoso, New Mexico. 3. Two children, aged four and seven, along with a man, were swept downstream and were found dead later in the mountain resort village, the report said. 4. Visuals have emerged online that show an entire house, uprooted from its foundations, careening downstream through the muddy waters amid the flash floods in Ruidoso, sideswiping trees along the way, according to an Instagram post shared by BBC. 5. Speaking about the video, Danielle Silva, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told Reuters, 'I've seen the video. We don't know if anyone was in the house.' A house is carried away by flash flooding in Ruidoso on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. 6. Emergency teams, coordinated by local law enforcement and the National Guard, carried out at least 85 swift-water rescue operations in Ruidoso and the surrounding areas. Many of these involved people stranded in cars and homes due to rising floodwaters, Silva stated. 7. Silva further informed that the river rapidly rose to a provisional peak of 20.24 feet (6.2 metres) during the flood. As the waters started to recede in the evening, authorities began searching the debris for survivors. 8. The recent floods struck just four days after a deadly flash flood caused by heavy rains along the Guadalupe River, resulting in at least 109 deaths, while several people went missing amid the destroyed parts of the Texas Hill Country. Ruidoso, a popular summer vacation location and ski resort situated in the Sierra Blanca. 9. In New Mexico, Silva explained that the intensity of the debris flow was increased due to a landscape scarred by flames and devoid of vegetation after a wildfire, which was then followed by flooding that caused erosion soil. 10. Ruidoso, a popular summer vacation location and ski resort situated in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of south-central New Mexico, is approximately 115 miles (185 km) south of Albuquerque, the largest city in the state.
