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Is it flooding in Ruidoso New Mexico? Flash flood warning issued for town ravaged by wildfires a year ago

The overflowing floodwaters washed away local houses, broke trees, submerged roads, and caused miserable damage in Ruidoso.
posted by Shreya Ghosh
Wednesday 7/9/2025 at 11:56AM EDT
  • Flooding Image (Image via Everett Collection) (It's a representational image of a flood)
    Flooding Image (Image via Everett Collection) (It's a representational image of a flood)

    The town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, experienced heavy rainfall throughout, triggering devastating flash flooding on July 8, 2025. At a time when the mountain town is still struggling after the deadly wildfire last year, a terrifying flash flood started wreaking havoc on Tuesday.

    The overflowing floodwaters washed away local houses, broke trees, and caused miserable damage all around.

    Rescue operations were conducted soon to evacuate people from the affected areas. According to reports from last night, there are reports on casualties, NBC News confirmed.

    Here are the necessary details about the ongoing flash flood emergency in Ruidoso, New Mexico

     

    X (formerly Twitter) user @RealAlexJones shared a horrifying video of a "life-threatening flood emergency" in Ruidoso.

    As per the updates, the river water level rose to 20 feet within half an hour. The netizen added necessary information in the caption, stating,

    "At this time, the National Weather Service has issued a life threatening flash flood emergency for Ruidoso, New Mexico, as powerful thunderstorms have caused river levels to surge an alarming 20 feet in just 30 minutes."

    Jones also detailed the ongoing evacuation and rescue operations, further continuing,

    "Evacuation orders are now in effect across multiple areas. Emergency crews are overwhelmed, responding to numerous 911 calls reporting residents trapped inside homes, vehicles swept away, and buildings collapsing or being washed downstream. Power outages have also been reported, and access to several roads is completely cut off due to debris and rising waters. Authorities are urging everyone in the affected areas to evacuate immediately and move to higher ground."

    Calling the calamity a "life-or-death situation," he emphasized how

    "delays could prove fatal. First responders are warning that conditions are rapidly deteriorating"

    Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford opened up about the catastrophe last night on the KRUI radio station. According to information provided by the mayor, several houses were swept away, roads were turned into submerged areas, and several destroyed homes reported gas leaks.

    He also spoke about mudslides, the strong force of dirty rainwater flooding several bridges, and updates on swift-water rescues, as per NBC News. Adding that three people went missing, Lynn noted,

    "They’re in the process of looking"

    Looking back at heavy downpours and floods in the past, he described the recent tragedy as one of the worst flash floods. He described the conditions as

    "Last year we had a bad one or two, but this one was right there with it."

    The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque shared disheartening updates on the consequences of the flash flood emergency. As the New York Post cited, many onlookers saw a man and two children getting swept away. Some people also reported news of a vehicle and a property being inundated by the flood.

    Unfortunately, the overflowing water overwhelmed and engulfed many people. Two children and a male adult were trapped in a house close to Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico. An aged resident was found scared inside her home in the Alto area. Rescue teams were deployed across the town to save the trapped individuals and escort them to safe places.

    According to the latest updates published by the New York Post on Tuesday night, no news about the missing and trapped people has been confirmed yet. To assist families at this tragic time, the authorities have shared a contact number for locals to report when someone goes missing.

    A look at places in New Mexico where warnings have been issued

    Following the dramatic adverse weather conditions and flooding all around, the National Weather Service issued warnings on Tuesday, according to The Times of India. Alerts were announced for areas like Brady Canyon, Cedar Creek, Eagle Creek, Perk Canyon, the Rio Ruidoso drainages, and Upper Canyon. As per a KOAT report, the warning was lifted at around 7:15 PM last night.

    Presently, authorities have opened the Ruidoso Community Center for victims in need of shelter. Several other locations, including the Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso campus and the Angus Church of the Nazarene, are providing temporary locations to stay.

    Apart from property damage, the natural disaster affected smooth transportation facilities as well. On July 8, the concerned departments shut down the White Mountain from Hull to Mechem at 3:35 PM, the outlet confirmed. Till the rainwater levels reduced, Sudderth was closed at Robin, Carrizo, and Hickory. Also, Paradise Canyon was shut.

    The Ruidoso Mayor elaborated about the flash flood emergency, as KOAT cited, adding,

    "Just a big rain that hit us all of a sudden, we were tracking it all day. It didn't look like it was going to be this massive, but it was. It hit hard, it hit fast... we did lose some more homes, we have some folks that are missing, we're looking for them right now."

    On July 8, Ruidoso witnessed a record rainfall. By Tuesday afternoon, an inch of rain had already soaked the region’s burnt areas reported during the 2024 wildfires. According to NBC News, it prompted the agency to issue a widespread flash flood emergency due to the increased risk of dangerous runoff and flooding.

    While a small area in New Mexico is grappling with the scary wrath of flash floods, some other places are facing the burns and heat of ongoing wildfires. CNN reported the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management stating that one person has died due to the widespread blaze.

    On Tuesday, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan released a statement in a press conference and noted that at least two people sustained injuries. They received treatment right after. Previously, he issued a state of emergency as well.

    The frightful wildfires have affected Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation awfully. Thousands of locals were rescued as the flames spread to more areas. New Mexico fire officials stated yesterday that the fire engulfed and burned around 1,400 structures, in addition to evacuations.

    Laura McCarthy, State Forester with the New Mexico Forestry Division, opened up about the predicted changes in weather conditions. Stating the probable differences in the future, she explained,

    "The wind is in the process of shifting. Since the fire started, it had been a steady southwest wind and now we’re seeing a shift with the wind coming from the west. There is potential with this wind coming in from the west to have additional homes impacted."

    In the morning hours on Monday, the fire spread in the South Fork region on the Mescalero Apache tribal areas. Over time, the flames spread over almost 3,000 acres of land. Within the next day, the wildfire engulfed over 15,000 acres.

    As per the weather forecast, the South Fork area is likely to receive rainfall on Wednesday afternoon, followed by heavier downpours on Thursday and Friday. With incessant rain, the conditions to douse the fire will be much easier.

    Two of the major causes triggering the fire expansion in New Mexico are dry air and high temperatures. Evaluating the reports, the Storm Prediction Center also declared a fire risk warning in most places in New Mexico.

    Last year, on June 17, the wildfire began across New Mexico. It exploded rapidly, burning thousands of acres of land by the next day. The rapid and unexpected damage led to a mass evacuation and the issuance of a state of emergency on June 18.

    Ruidoso is one of the towns in New Mexico that suffered significantly due to the devastating wildfires in 2024. Just after a major calamity, the city was hit by a flash flood.

    Follow Primetimer for more such updates.

    TOPICS: Ruidoso