'Dangerous situation': Flash flooding in New Mexico town traps dozens in homes, vehicles
The flooding left people trapped in homes and prompted multiple water rescues in Ruidoso, a mountain town about 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque, in the Sierra Blanca mountain range, officials said. The town is susceptible to mudslides and increased runoff following two large fires that scorched swathes of land, known as "burn scars," in 2024.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued the flash flood emergency emergency for Ruidoso at around 3 p.m. local time on July 8. Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, and the neighborhood of Hollywood remained under a flash flood warning until 7:15 p.m., according to the weather service.
"A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO! A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!" the weather service wrote on social media.
Speaking on a local radio station, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said there were multiple reports of mudslides and gas leaks at homes that had been damaged or swept away by floodwaters. Several bridges in the area were also damaged or underwater, according to the mayor.
There were no immediate confirmed reports of deaths or injuries from the flooding.
Emergency teams pre-positioned by local law enforcement and the National Guard conducted at least 85 swift-water rescues in and around Ruidoso, many of the victims who were stranded in their cars and homes by flooding, Danielle Silva, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told Reuters.
NewsChannel3Now, a local station, shared a video of a house being swept in the swollen river. Officials urged those 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 told the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.
"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."
No deaths had been reported on the night of July 8, according to Crawford, but some people were transported to the hospital. The mayor urged residents to stay in high, elevated and dry areas, adding that several temporary shelters were open.
The village of Ruidoso 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 who may not be able to get in touch.
The Rio Ruidoso at the Hollywood gage ‒ found along the Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs Racetrack border ‒ recorded a historic crest, according to the National Weather Service. The river crested at 20.24 feet on the afternoon of July 8, compared to last year's crest of 15.86 feet.
The flash flood emergency was put into place as slow-moving storms dumped water over South Fork Fire burn scars, said Mike Hardiman, meteorologist with the weather service in El Paso. Up to 3 inches had fallen in the mountain areas as of 3:30 p.m. on July 8, according to Hardiman.
"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 had warned that burn scars from wildfires would cause extensive and severe flash flooding of streams, creeks, and ditches.
The storms and heavy rain that triggered the flash floods occurred during monsoon season in the United States, which typically begins in mid-to-late June and continues into September. Flash flooding "may develop within minutes, depending on the intensity of the rainfall, the topography, soil conditions, and ground cover," the weather service added.
Water flooded the town's Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, with Quarter horse trainer Marc Jungers saying his barn took on 4 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 okay and safe," Jungers told the El Paso Times.
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.
Dramatic video footage on social media and various news outlets showed a house, ripped from its foundations, careening downstream through the brown, muddy waters of the flood-engorged Rio Ruidoso, side-swiping trees as it went.
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.
Ruidoso resident and arborist Jesus Figueroa also shared several videos on Facebook capturing flash flooding rushing through roads and cabins on the afternoon of July 8.
New Mexico's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is aware of the video but couldn't confirm if anyone was in the house.
The Ruidoso flash flood emergency comes less than a week after devastating Texas floods left at least 110 people dead and more than 160 people missing.
Search and rescue operations continued on July 8 after heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River on July 4 and floodwaters surged through homes.
Among the victims are at least 27 children and counselors from the Kerr County Christian girls Camp Mystic. At least 30 children died in the county, Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed on July 8 as the search entered its fifth day. Five more Mystic campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for.
Kerrville Police Department Community Services Officer Jonathan Lamb emphasized the chances of finding victims alive are slim, adding that the last "live rescue" was made on July 4.
Natassia Paloma reports for the El Paso Times and Anthony Robledo and Thao Nguyen report for USA TODAY.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Jorge L. Ortiz, and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Mexico flash floods prompt rescues as dozens are trapped in homes
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