🇺🇸 Devastating Flash Flooding in New Mexico: Three Dead, Ruidoso in Ruins

📅 Published: July 9, 2025

A deadly flash flood has struck the mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico. After just a few hours of heavy, continuous rainfall, powerful torrents of water surged through the mountainous areas. The flood has claimed the lives of one adult male and two children, while hundreds have been trapped or left homeless.

📍 Location of the Incident: Ruidoso, New Mexico

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This town was previously devastated by the South Fork and Salt Wildfires in 2024. As a result, the scorched soil lost its ability to absorb water, making the area extremely vulnerable to flash floods—even after light rainfall.

📊 Severity of the Flood

  • 🌧️ In just 30 minutes, the Rio Ruidoso River rose to 20.24 feet, breaking all previous records and being labeled a “historic crest”.
  • An entire house and several vehicles were swept away by the raging current.

Confirmed Fatalities:

  • 🧍‍♂️ A man aged between 40–50 years
  • 👶 A 4-year-old child
  • 🧒 A 7-year-old child

🚁 More than 85 people have been rescued.

📢 Local residents have been urged to seek shelter in higher ground.

🛑 State of Emergency Declared

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a State of Emergency in response to this disaster. This has enabled the rapid deployment of federal aid and intensified rescue operations.

🔍 What Caused This Flood?

  1. 🧱 Burn Scar Effect: Soil burned by last year’s wildfires cannot absorb water
  2. 🌬️ Monsoon Moisture: Seasonal monsoon winds from the south brought intense rainfall
  3. 🌊 Storm Remnants: Leftovers from a tropical system that hit Texas reached New Mexico

📷 Videos from Local Residents Show:

  • 🛣️ Roads collapsing
  • 🚁 People being rescued by drones and boats
  • 🏚️ An entire house sinking into the water
  • 🚗 Cars crashing into one another due to the force of the current

📢 What Should People Do Now?

  • ⚠️ A Flash Flood Warning is still in effect in Ruidoso and surrounding areas
  • 🚫 Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel
  • 🏠 People should head to emergency shelters and stay safe with their families

Collected & Published by SA Y ED