Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Science

Flash Flooding in New Mexico Rescues Nearly 100 Residents

Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash flooding in the mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, leading to the rescue of nearly 100 residents trapped in their homes and vehicles. Emergency crews conducted at least 85 swift water rescues as floodwaters rose dramatically, with the Rio Ruidoso swelling nearly 19 feet within minutes.

Danielle Silva, spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, reported that no injuries or fatalities were immediately confirmed. The full extent of the damage, she noted, would only become clear once the waters recede. Residents were urged to seek higher ground as the situation worsened.

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for the area, which has been severely impacted by recent wildfires that stripped vegetation, leaving the terrain vulnerable to flooding. A flood gauge and accompanying video footage captured the Rio Ruidoso overflowing its banks, inundating surrounding forests and leading to the closure of streets and bridges.

Community Impact and Rescues

Kaitlyn Carpenter, an artist residing in Ruidoso, described her experience during the storm. While riding her motorcycle through town, she sought refuge at the Downshift Brewing Company with about 50 others. As she filmed debris rushing down the river, she was heartbroken to see a house float by with a familiar turquoise door belonging to a close friend’s family. Fortunately, her friend’s family was not inside at the time.

“I’ve been in that house and have memories in that house, so seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking,” Carpenter said.

Two National Guard rescue teams were already deployed in the region when the flooding began, and additional teams were expected to arrive. The area has been particularly susceptible to flooding since the summer of 2024, following the South Fork and Salt fires that devastated the landscape and destroyed approximately 1,400 homes. The community, which had previously evacuated due to wildfires, now faced a new crisis.

Weather Conditions and Future Outlook

Meteorologist Matt DeMaria from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque explained that storms developed over areas scorched by last year’s wildfires. The burn scars could not absorb the rainfall, causing water to rapidly flow downhill into the river. Preliminary measurements indicated that the Rio Ruidoso may have crested at a record height of 20 feet above its normal level, although this was still to be confirmed.

As the river began to recede Tuesday evening, three shelters opened in Ruidoso for residents unable to return home. For Carpenter, the flood brought back painful memories; her own art studio was swept away during last year’s flooding.

The atmosphere was tense. The air smelled strongly of gasoline, and the sound of crashing trees resonated as the river surged. Cory State, an employee at Downshift Brewing Company, welcomed dozens of residents seeking safety as hail pelted the windows. He remarked that the floating house was “just one of the many devastating things about today.”

The Ruidoso community is now grappling with the aftermath of this natural disaster, raising concerns about the ongoing risks posed by extreme weather events in an already vulnerable region.

You May Also Like

Top Stories

California has taken a stand against a federal directive from the Trump administration demanding the exclusion of transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports....

Entertainment

Olivia Munn, the acclaimed actress, recently shared an intimate revelation about her personal struggles with trichotillomania, a disorder that compels individuals to pull out...

Top Stories

Frontier, a coalition of technology leaders including Google and Meta, has announced a landmark investment in Arbor, a cutting-edge startup specializing in bioenergy with...

Sports

Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, faced backlash recently due to a photo posted on July 4, where some critics...

Sports

Heavy rainfall in central Texas early on July 4, 2023, led to catastrophic flooding, resulting in a rising death toll that now exceeds 100...

Health

Newswise — DALLAS – June 30, 2025 – Diets rich in phosphate additives, commonly found in processed foods, have been linked to increased blood...

Top Stories

The $10 billion AI startup Thinking Machines Lab (TML), founded by former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati in February, is making headlines for...

Business

A summit of leaders from the BRICS group of major emerging economies commenced in Brazil on Sunday, but notably absent is the top leader...

Entertainment

In an extraordinary blend of art and architecture, Sam Cox, popularly known as Mr. Doodle, has turned the interior of his mansion in Kent,...

World

Two passengers were dramatically rescued after falling overboard from the Disney Dream cruise ship as it sailed back to Florida from the Bahamas. Witnesses...

Technology

Certain styles of photography or videography have the power to instantly transport us to a different era. The grainy texture and vibrant colors of...

Sports

The Houston Rockets have made a significant splash in the early stages of NBA free agency. On Monday night, they not only secured the...

Copyright © All rights reserved. This website provides general news and educational content for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information presented. The content should not be considered professional advice of any kind. Readers are encouraged to verify facts and consult appropriate experts when needed. We are not responsible for any loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of information on this site.