Latest news with #KerryGladden
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ruidoso flooding prompts water rescues after people were trapped in homes, officials say
The village of Ruidoso was under a flash flood emergency, as slow-moving storms moved over South Fork Fire burn scars, leading to multiple water rescues and people being trapped in their homes, officials said. 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
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Video shows New Mexico house being swept away amid deadly flooding
Flash flooding from torrential rain hit Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, killing at least three people and prompting dozens of rescues, officials said. A house was seen being carried downstream by the fast-moving water a year after the same area was devastated by two wildfires. Late Tuesday night, the village of Ruidoso confirmed that a 4-year-old girl, 7-year-old boy and 40-to-50-year-old man were swept downstream and later found dead. Ruidoso spokesperson Kerry Gladden told CBS News early Wednesday no one was unaccounted for. The village said 50-60 swift-water rescues were carried out and search and rescue operations were still being conducted. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement Tuesday night that she signed an emergency declaration request to get federal response teams and repair resources on the ground immediately. "We're encouraged that additional federal resources are already on the way," the Democrat said. "New Mexico is mobilizing every resource we have, but Ruidoso needs federal support to recover from this disaster. We've watched Texas receive the federal resources they desperately needed, and Ruidoso deserves that same urgent response." The Rio Ruidoso, a river in Lincoln County, rose to a record-breaking 20 feet — 5 feet higher than the previous high-water mark, the village said. CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan noted that at one river gauge, water levels leaped almost 19 feet in a mere half hour. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a statement Tuesday that the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the South Central Mountains, including Ruidoso, at 2:46 a.m. MT. That warning was to be in effect from noon until 8 p.m. local time, NOAA said. A flash flood warning was issued for the South Fork burn scar in Lincoln County, New Mexico, at 2:12 p.m., and included a "considerable" flooding tag, which NOAA said "automatically triggers a Wireless Emergency Alert to be issued for the warned area." NOAA said the warning was upgraded to a flash flooding emergency about 30 minutes later. Emergency warnings have emerged as a point of contention in the Texas flash flooding. A video posted on social media by Ruidoso resident Kaitlyn Carpenter shows fast-moving water carrying a home downriver. Another video shows floodwaters bringing a myriad of debris down a riverbank before reaching a small bridge and inundating the roadway. Carpenter, whose art studio was swept away during a flood last year, told The Associated Press she was riding her motorcycle through town Tuesday afternoon when the storm started to pick up and she sought shelter at the riverside Downshift Brewing Company with dozens of other people. She started to film debris rushing down the Rio Ruidoso when she spotted a house floating by with a familiar turquoise door. It belonged to the family of one of her best friends. Her friend's family was not in the house and is safe, she said. "I've been in that house and have memories in that house, so seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking," Carpenter told the AP. "I just couldn't believe it." The area around the Rio Ruidoso and much of Lincoln County were scorched last year by wildfires, making the soil unstable and more prone to flooding. Two people died in the South Fork and Salt fires, and hundreds of homes were destroyed in June 2024. Wildfires can significantly change the landscape, including reducing vegetation — which decreases the number of plants and roots to hold soil in place. Burn scars increase flash flooding risks for at least two years, according to the federal Burned Area Emergency Response program, which assessed the damage. Sneak peek: Who Killed Aileen Seiden in Room 15? Everything we know so far about the deadly Texas floods U.S. measles numbers reach highest levels in 33 years
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
3 missing, house swept away as flash flooding hits mountain village in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — At least three people were missing in a mountain village in southern New Mexico that is a popular summer retreat after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding Tuesday that was so intense an entire house was swept downstream. Emergency crews carried out at least 85 swift water rescues in the Ruidoso area, including of people who were trapped in their homes and cars, said Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. No deaths were immediately reported, but three people had been taken to the hospital and were in stable condition, according to Kerry Gladden, public information officer for Ruidoso. The water had receded by Tuesday night and search and rescue and swift water rescue teams were scouring the town for the missing people, while public works crews cleared debris from the roadways. Some cars were left stranded in the mud. Two National Guard rescue teams and several local teams already were in the area when the flooding began, Silva said, and more Guard teams were expected. The floods came just days after flash floods in Texas killed over 100 people and left more than 160 people missing. In New Mexico, officials urged residents to seek higher ground Tuesday afternoon as the waters of the Rio Ruidoso rose nearly 19 feet (2.7 meters) in a matter of minutes amid heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings in the area, which was stripped of vegetation by recent wildfires. A weather service flood gauge and companion video camera showed churning waters of the Rio Ruidoso surge over the river's banks into surrounding forest. Streets and bridges were closed in response. Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist in Ruidoso, was riding her motorcycle through town Tuesday afternoon when the storm started to pick up, and she sought shelter at the riverside Downshift Brewing Company with about 50 other people. She started to film debris rushing down the Rio Ruidoso when she spotted a house float by with a familiar turquoise door. It belonged to the family of one of her best friends. Her friend's family was not in the house and is safe, she said. 'I've been in that house and have memories in that house, so seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking,' Carpenter said. 'I just couldn't believe it.' During a radio address Tuesday night, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford encouraged residents to call an emergency line if their loved ones or neighbors were missing. He also said there were reports of dead horses near the town's horse racing track 'We knew that we were going to have floods ... and this one hit us harder than what we were expecting,' Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford said. The area has been especially vulnerable to flooding since the summer of 2024, when the South Fork and Salt fires raced across tinder-dry forest and destroyed an estimated 1,400 homes and structures. Residents were forced to flee a wall of flames, only to grapple with intense flooding later that summer. 'We know that the water levels seemed to be higher than they were last summer,' Silva said. 'It is a significant amount of water flowing throughout, some of it in new areas that didn't flood last year.' Matt DeMaria, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said storms formed in the early afternoon over terrain that was scorched last year by wildfire. The burn scar was unable to absorb a lot of the rain, as water quickly ran downhill into the river. Preliminary measurements show the Rio Ruidoso crested at more than 20 feet (6 meters) — a record high if confirmed — and was receding Tuesday evening. Three shelters opened in the Ruidoso area for people who could not return home. Cory State, who works at the Downshift Brewing Company, welcomed in dozens of residents as the river surged and hail pelted the windows. The house floating by was 'just one of the many devastating things about today,' he said. The sight brought back painful memories for Carpenter, whose art studio was swept away during a flood last year. Outside, the air smelled of gasoline, and loud crashes could be heard as the river knocked down trees in its path. 'It's pretty terrifying,' she said. ___ Peipert reported from Denver. Associated Press writers Matt Brown in Denver, Hallie Golden in Seattle, Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Three missing and house swept away as flash flooding hits New Mexico
Torrential monsoon rains have triggered devastating flash floods in a popular mountain village in southern New Mexico, leaving at least three people missing and sweeping an entire house downstream on Tuesday. Emergency crews have since carried out at least 85 swift water rescues in the Ruidoso area, freeing residents trapped in their homes and cars, according to Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. While no fatalities have been immediately reported, three individuals were taken to hospital and are said to be in a stable condition, Kerry Gladden, public information officer for Ruidoso, confirmed. The water had receded by Tuesday night and search and rescue and swift water rescue teams were scouring the town for the missing people, while public works crews cleared debris from the roadways. Some cars were left stranded in the mud. Two National Guard rescue teams and several local teams already were in the area when the flooding began, Silva said, and more Guard teams were expected. The floods came just days after flash floods in Texas killed over 100 people and left more than 160 people missing. In New Mexico, officials urged residents to seek higher ground Tuesday afternoon as the waters of the Rio Ruidoso rose nearly 19 feet (2.7 meters) in a matter of minutes amid heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings in the area, which was stripped of vegetation by recent wildfires. A weather service flood gauge and companion video camera showed churning waters of the Rio Ruidoso surge over the river's banks into surrounding forest. Streets and bridges were closed in response. Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist in Ruidoso, was riding her motorcycle through town Tuesday afternoon when the storm started to pick up, and she sought shelter at the riverside Downshift Brewing Company with about 50 other people. She started to film debris rushing down the Rio Ruidoso when she spotted a house float by with a familiar turquoise door. It belonged to the family of one of her best friends. Her friend's family was not in the house and is safe, she said."I've been in that house and have memories in that house, so seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking," Carpenter said. "I just couldn't believe it." During a radio address Tuesday night, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford encouraged residents to call an emergency line if their loved ones or neighbors were missing. He also said there were reports of dead horses near the town's horse racing track "We knew that we were going to have floods ... and this one hit us harder than what we were expecting," Ruidoso Mayor Lynn D. Crawford said. The area has been especially vulnerable to flooding since the summer of 2024, when the South Fork and Salt fires raced across tinder-dry forest and destroyed an estimated 1,400 homes and structures. Residents were forced to flee a wall of flames, only to grapple with intense flooding later that summer. "We know that the water levels seemed to be higher than they were last summer," Silva said. "It is a significant amount of water flowing throughout, some of it in new areas that didn't flood last year." Matt DeMaria, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said storms formed in the early afternoon over terrain that was scorched last year by wildfire. The burn scar was unable to absorb a lot of the rain, as water quickly ran downhill into the river. Preliminary measurements show the Rio Ruidoso crested at more than 20 feet (6 meters) — a record high if confirmed — and was receding Tuesday evening. Three shelters opened in the Ruidoso area for people who could not return home. Cory State, who works at the Downshift Brewing Company, welcomed in dozens of residents as the river surged and hail pelted the windows. The house floating by was "just one of the many devastating things about today," he said. The sight brought back painful memories for Carpenter, whose art studio was swept away during a flood last year. Outside, the air smelled of gasoline, and loud crashes could be heard as the river knocked down trees in its path."It's pretty terrifying," she said.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
New Mexico floods latest: ‘Father and two children' still missing after being swept away in flash floods
New Mexico was hit by severe flash flooding triggered by monsoon rains on Tuesday, leaving at least three people missing from the mountain village of Ruidoso and causing a house to be swept downstream. The Rio Ruidoso's water levels rose from less than three feet to a crest of 20.24 feet in under an hour as a result of the heavy downpour, according to the BBC. Emergency crews have so far carried out at least 85 swift water rescues in the vicinity, including of people who were trapped in their homes and cars, said Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Two National Guard rescue teams and several local teams already were in the area when the flooding began, Silva said, and more Guard teams were expected. No deaths were immediately reported but three people have been taken to the hospital and were in stable condition, according to Kerry Gladden, public information officer for Ruidoso. The disaster comes just days after flash floods in Texas killed at least 110 people and left 173 people missing.
