Just a year after deadly wildfires scarred the landscape, the mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico is now facing another disaster—flash floods. Torrential rain poured down on burn-scarred land Tuesday, turning the town’s creeks into raging rivers and sparking more than 30 swift-water rescues.
Local officials sounded the alarm, urging residents to get to higher ground immediately as bridges vanished under muddy waters and homes were swept away.
Floodwaters Tear Through a Town Still Recovering
Speaking live on local station KRUI, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford painted a grim picture: gas leaks, mudslides, submerged roads, and missing residents. “We’re in the process of looking for three people who are unaccounted for,” he said, adding that this flood ranks among the worst he’s ever seen.
Images and videos posted online and verified by NBC News showed homes literally floating away, including one slamming into trees as it rushed down the Rio Ruidoso—a river that, until recently, was so small “you could jump across it,” according to Crawford.
Monsoon Rain Meets Burn Scars—A Deadly Mix
The flood was triggered during New Mexico’s monsoon season, which runs from late June through early September. When intense rain hits hydrophobic soil—a dangerous byproduct of last year’s South Fork Fire—the ground can’t absorb water, turning hillsides into torrents.
The National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency after just one inch of rain fell on these burn scars, causing the river to crest at a record 20 feet on Tuesday.
The South Fork Fire’s Lingering Impact
In June 2024, the South Fork Fire burned over 17,000 acres, claimed two lives, and destroyed hundreds of homes. The fire’s intense heat scorched the land so badly it changed the soil’s structure, leaving the town more vulnerable to future flooding.
Now, with roads submerged, houses lost, and families missing, the community faces yet another fight for survival.
Emergency Response and Federal Support in Motion
So far, no fatalities have been confirmed, though several people have been hospitalized. On Tuesday night, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency declaration request, calling on the federal government for immediate aid.
“Ruidoso endured devastating wildfires and flooding last summer, and now catastrophic flooding is hitting this resilient community again,” she said. “This crisis demands immediate action.”
Meanwhile, residents unable to locate family members have been asked to contact the Emergency Operations Center.
A Town That Keeps Standing
Located in the Sierra Blanca mountain range, Ruidoso—home to roughly 7,600 people—is no stranger to nature’s wrath. Its steep terrain and forested surroundings make it particularly susceptible to both wildfires and floods.
But this latest flood, Crawford admitted, hit harder than expected. “This one hit us harder than we were expecting,” he said. “It’s been catastrophic.”
As officials continue rescue efforts and assess the damage, the community holds its breath, once again forced to rally through crisis.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for updates on Ruidoso, flash flood alerts, and emergency recovery efforts.
