The mountain town was hit by wildfires last year and was still recovering, now flash floods have struck, bringing more catastrophe to the community.
A New Mexico town, Ruidoso, faced a disaster on Tuesday, June 8, as heavy rains brought dangerous flash floods and widespread destruction. Videos and photos shared online showed the extent of the damage, with homes and businesses heavily impacted by the rising waters.
The town was hit by severe flooding during a monsoon storm, leading to homes being damaged or swept away by the floodwaters, with reports of mudslides and gas leaks adding to the chaos.
Mayor Lynn Crawford said multiple bridges were underwater and more than two dozen swift-water rescues had taken place. Three people remained missing as emergency crews continued search efforts.
The flooding was linked to seasonal monsoon storms, which run from late June to early September and often bring sudden downpours and fast-moving flash floods.
Crawford described Tuesday’s event as one of the worst he had seen, compounding what he called a catastrophic stretch for the town. “Last year we had a bad one or two, but this one was right there with it,” he noted.
Verified videos circulating online showed roads overtaken by rushing water and a house being carried down the Rio Ruidoso before crashing into trees. Before the storm, the river had been small enough to cross on foot, but the sudden surge turned it into a dangerous current.
As of Tuesday night, no fatalities had been reported, though some individuals had been hospitalized. Around 30 swift-water rescues had been carried out, and there were also reports of horses killed in the flooding.
Officials urged those in safe, dry locations to remain there as conditions remained hazardous. The village urged residents who couldn’t reach their loved ones to report missing persons to the emergency operations center.
