Despite a temporary pause in flooding, the Village of Ruidoso and nearby communities continue to struggle with widespread damage and disruptions following a series of flash floods last week.
Water and sewer service interruptions, impassable roads, and emergency rescues — including three individuals trapped in vehicles — highlight the ongoing crisis. Between July 30 and August 1, the National Weather Service documented 21 separate flood-related incidents across Lincoln County. Reports ranged from submerged bridges and a mud-entrapped car to a flooded equestrian tunnel.
Crews are now working to remove massive amounts of debris carried by the Rio Ruidoso. Officials say this effort will intensify during this week’s break in monsoon rains, which offers a narrow window to make meaningful progress.
Ruidoso’s Public Works Department has been making constant repairs, but repeated downpours have continued to undo restoration efforts and further strain the village’s infrastructure.
“Our community is facing an unprecedented challenge,” officials said in a recent update. They urged residents to limit water use, explaining that critical systems are being prioritized due to the extensive damage and recurring floods.
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In response to the water shortages, the village is offering potable water at Wingfield Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while bottled water is being distributed at the Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso parking lot.
Mayor Lynn Crawford expressed hope that the drier forecast this week will offer much-needed relief. “A few dry days will be a blessing,” he told Source NM.
According to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, the monsoon pattern has temporarily shifted, bringing hotter and drier conditions through early next week. Forecaster Randall Hergert noted that the moisture influx “has essentially shut off,” although rain is expected to return by the weekend.
During the dry spell, local crews are prioritizing clearing debris and excavating the Rio Ruidoso riverbed. Heavy flooding has deposited up to nine feet of silt in some areas, reducing the river’s depth and causing floodwaters to spill into surrounding properties.
“The shallower the river, the more damage we see,” Crawford said. “That’s why getting this debris out is critical. It’s the key to protecting homes and businesses from further destruction.”
