Flash flooding struck the mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, trapping nearly 100 individuals in their homes and vehicles. The deluge, caused by intense monsoon rains, swept an entire house down the Rio Ruidoso, prompting emergency crews to perform at least 85 swift water rescues, according to Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported, but the full extent of the damage remains unclear as waters recede.
As the Rio Ruidoso rose nearly 19 feet in a matter of minutes, officials urged residents to find higher ground. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for the area, which has suffered from diminished vegetation due to recent wildfires. A flood gauge and accompanying video camera captured the tumultuous waters surging over the riverbanks into surrounding forests, leading to road closures and a heightened state of emergency.
Local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter witnessed the unfolding disaster first-hand. Riding her motorcycle through town, she sought refuge at the Downshift Brewing Company, where about 50 others had also gathered. While filming the debris swirling in the river, Carpenter spotted a house floating by, recognizable by its distinctive turquoise door. It belonged to the family of one of her close friends, who were not present and are safe. “I’ve been in that house and have memories in that house, so seeing it come down the river was just pretty heartbreaking,” Carpenter expressed.
Emergency response efforts were already in place, with two National Guard rescue teams and several local units deployed before the flooding began. Additional National Guard personnel are expected to assist in the recovery efforts. The region has become increasingly susceptible to flooding, particularly since the devastating wildfires of the summer of 2024, which destroyed approximately 1,400 homes and structures.
Silva noted that current water levels appear to be higher than those recorded last summer. “It is a significant amount of water flowing throughout, some of it in new areas that didn’t flood last year,” she remarked.
Meteorologist Matt DeMaria from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque explained that storms developed over terrain that had been scorched by the previous year’s wildfires. The burn scar hindered water absorption, causing rapid runoff into the river. Preliminary measurements indicated that the Rio Ruidoso crested at 20 feet above its normal level, a potential record if confirmed, before beginning to recede later in the evening.
In response to the flooding, three shelters opened in the Ruidoso area for those unable to return home. Carpenter, whose art studio was lost in last year’s flooding, recalled the distressing sights and sounds as the river raged outside. “It’s pretty terrifying,” she said, describing the smell of gasoline and the sounds of crashing trees as the river swept them away.
At Downshift Brewing Company, Cory State welcomed dozens of residents seeking safety as hail pelted the windows. He remarked that the house floating down the river was “just one of the many devastating things about today.” The community faces the challenge of recovery once the waters subside, as they grapple with both the immediate effects of the flooding and the haunting memories of past disasters.
