In brief
In Ruidoso, New Mexico, catastrophic flash flooding caused by intense rain has claimed the lives of three individuals, including two children. Local emergency services have conducted numerous rescue operations amid ongoing assessments of the damages, as the region grapples with the aftermath of this climatic disaster.
In a shocking turn of events, the village of Ruidoso is now mourning the loss of three individuals—two children and a man—who were swept away in raging floodwaters following a heavy downpour that dumped as much as 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) of rain within a short period. The Ruidoso River swelled to unprecedented levels, resulting in widespread flash flooding that has left the community in distress.Kerry Gladden, spokesperson for Ruidoso, confirmed the tragic deaths on Tuesday evening, emphasizing that rescue crews continue their vital work on the ground. Authorities have set up a hotline for families seeking information about missing loved ones with at least three people treated at local hospitals for various injuries. Local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter shared harrowing footage on social media, showcasing a house being swept away, underscoring the devastation faced by residents.Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford expressed the intensity of the situation, stating, "It got ugly really quick" during an interview on a local radio station. The full extent of the disaster is still being evaluated as emergency teams responded to over 50 swift water rescues. Residents have been advised to seek higher ground, with reports indicating significant damage to homes.The National Weather Service had previously alerted the area about the dangers posed by "burn scars" from wildfires in the region, noting that the remaining charred soil could exacerbate water runoff. Following wildfires that engulfed around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of land near Ruidoso in June 2024, experts warned that the flash flood risk would remain heightened for at least two years. The timing of this calamity coincided with the recent devastating flash floods in Texas, which left at least 109 confirmed fatalities and more than 160 people reported missing, raising significant concerns about the increasing challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events across the region.
