RUIDOSO, N.M. — Another intense afternoon downpour on Thursday triggered flash flooding in the village of Ruidoso, compounding an already difficult summer for the southern New Mexico community. Roads were closed, emergency rescues were carried out, and residents braced once again for the power of swollen creeks and rivers.
At least five people were rescued after being caught in rapidly rising waters, which swept through the mountainous area and sent muddy torrents across roads, into neighborhoods, and through previously scorched terrain. Social media posts from locals captured the moment — showing raging water ripping trees from the ground and tearing apart a mobile home.
This latest flooding comes less than three weeks after a deadly surge of water killed three people and damaged hundreds of homes, prompting both state and federal disaster declarations. Since then, the community has been on edge, watching daily storm clouds roll in and wondering whether the next rainfall will bring more destruction.
The region’s vulnerability stems from past wildfires that stripped surrounding slopes of vegetation, leaving bare, unstable ground unable to absorb water. As a result, even brief thunderstorms can lead to dangerous flash flooding.
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Authorities were stationed at multiple intersections Thursday, preventing drivers from attempting to cross water-covered roads, while bystanders gathered on higher ground to observe the deluge from a safer distance.
The National Weather Service has been issuing near-daily flash flood watches and warnings across the state. On Thursday, they reported that the Rio Ruidoso surged to about 12.5 feet — a significant rise fueled by runoff over burn scars.
Elsewhere in New Mexico, areas scorched by the massive 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fires were also placed under flood watches Thursday, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by post-fire landscapes during the summer monsoon season.
