A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday in a village in New Mexico, where a man and two children lost their lives in a devastating flash flood. Local officials reported that the three individuals were swept away by the unprecedented floodwaters that hit the Village of Ruidoso. Mayor Lynn Crawford expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives during a press conference the following day.
The victims included a man in his 40s or 50s, a 4-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy, identified as the children of a Fort Bliss soldier who was camping with his family when the flood struck. The soldier and his spouse sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment in a local hospital in Texas. Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks of the First Armored Division and Fort Bliss extended condolences to the affected family and loved ones.
Emergency crews successfully rescued over 65 individuals, with three people being hospitalized for treatment, all reported to be in stable condition. Preliminary assessments indicated that around 35 to 50 homes were damaged or destroyed by the floods. The village officials emphasized the importance of their multi-alert system to prepare for potential flooding, encouraging residents to access alerts through various means for enhanced safety.
The flash flood occurred following heavy monsoonal rains in burn scar areas from previous fires, leading to rapid water rise throughout the village. The Rio Ruidoso reached a record-breaking height of 20 feet, with 3.5 inches of rain falling in a span of 90 minutes, directly impacting the community. The National Weather Service reported that the river’s crest broke the previous record, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Before the floods hit, a flash flood watch was issued in the morning followed by a warning later in the day. The village faced significant challenges during the rescue efforts, locating individuals in precarious situations such as in trees, water, or trapped in their homes. The community continues to grieve the tragic loss of lives and remains vigilant in the aftermath of the disastrous flash flood.
Less than thirty minutes later, at 2:47 p.m., authorities declared a flash flood emergency. “It came on quite suddenly,” remarked Crawford on Wednesday. However, officials emphasized that they were proactive, with the National Guard already deployed before the onset of flooding. The risk of continued rainfall and flooding persists in the area. A flood watch is in place for Ruidoso and Capitan, as there is a possibility of heavy rainfall at a rate of 1 inch per hour with isolated downpours. Additional rain is expected in the evening, potentially leading to rapid flash flooding similar to Tuesday’s event. Village officials remain in close coordination with state authorities, and a request for federal disaster assistance has been made. The region has experienced multiple flash flooding incidents since the South Fork Fire in June 2024, which burned over 17,000 acres. A thorough damage assessment is in progress but is anticipated to take several days to complete. Individuals with information regarding missing persons in the floods are urged to contact the missing persons hotline at 575-637-0328.
