New Mexico flooding
Here’s the latest on the New Mexico flash flooding in Ruidoso:
Historic flooding struck on July 8 due to heavy monsoonal rains—up to 3–3.5 inches—falling on burn-scarred terrain from last year’s South Fork and Salt wildfires. The resulting rapid runoff caused the Rio Ruidoso to crest at a record ~20.24 ft, about 5 ft above the previous record.Three confirmed fatalities: a man in his 40s or 50s, a 4-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy were swept downstream and later found deceased.Massive rescue efforts: local crews and the National Guard carried out approximately 85 swift‑water rescues, extracting people trapped in homes, cars, trailers, and at least one trailer park. Governor’s emergency declaration: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency to mobilize federal aid, make resources available, and expedite repairs.
💔 Community & Damage Overview.
A house was seen floating downriver and destroyed; fortunately, it was unoccupied.
Infrastructure suffered significant harm: roads closed from debris and mudslides, gas line leaks reported, and widespread power outages—some parts of Ruidoso Downs (race track area) were compromised.Emergency shelters and counseling services are operational; the Ruidoso Community Center is housing displaced residents, with support from local and state agencies.
Continuing Threat
A flood watch remains in effect into Wednesday evening, with forecasts calling for additional downpours, including potential rain rates of 1″/hour—posing a renewed flash‑flood risk.
Why It’s So Severe
Burn scars from last year’s fires drastically reduced vegetation and soil absorption capacity. When heavy rain hit, water overflowed rapidly into creeks and rivers.Monsoonal moisture, amplified by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, funneled into the region, creating intense localized storms.
Summary
Ruidoso experienced record-level flash flooding that tragically claimed three lives and led to massive rescue and emergency response operations. Burn scars and relentless rain combined to create a hazardous, life‑threatening situation. The Governor has invoked emergency powers, and the community remains on alert amid continued flood risk.
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New Mexico flooding
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