Catastrophic flash flood in New Mexico wipes out entire house, leaving behind three fatalities as the dwelling is carried away by relentless currents
In the small town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, a devastating flash flood has left a trail of destruction and loss of life. According to Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the water had receded by Tuesday night, but the situation remains critical [1].
At least three people, including two children, have lost their lives in the floods. Multiple homes and bridges have been destroyed or damaged, leading to displacement and ongoing rescue efforts. Reports suggest over 85 swift water rescues have been conducted in the area, with people trapped in cars and homes, and some still missing [2].
The flash floods were triggered by monsoon rains associated with slow-moving thunderstorms. These storms brought extremely heavy rain to the area, causing rapid rises in water levels. The Rio Ruidoso River reached unprecedented levels, possibly as high as 20.24 feet during the peak of the flooding, significantly exceeding previous records [1][2]. This was particularly concerning given that the burn scar from last year's wildfires was unable to absorb a lot of the rain, causing water to quickly run downhill into the river.
The community is facing a challenging recovery process, with many residents affected by the loss of homes and infrastructure. Carpenter, whose art studio was swept away during a flood last year, was particularly affected by the sight of a house floating by. The air smelled of gasoline, and loud crashes could be heard as the river knocked down trees in its path.
Multiple shelters have opened in the Ruidoso area for those who cannot return home. Cory State, who works at the Downshift Brewing Company, welcomed in dozens of residents as the river surged and hail pelted the windows.
The floods in Ruidoso came just days after flash floods in Texas killed over 100 people and left more than 160 missing. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the destructive power of flash floods, particularly in areas affected by wildfires.
Two National Guard rescue teams and several local teams were already in the Ruidoso area when the flooding began. Public works crews are working tirelessly to clear debris from the roadways. The National Weather Service continues to issue flood warnings in the area.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Sources: [1] AP News. (2023). Flash Floods in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/flash-floods-new-mexico-floods-ruidoso-7b397763473f40e0a5e0c5a8d4e84d95 [2] BBC News. (2023). Flash Floods in Ruidoso, New Mexico: At Least Three Dead. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58789421 [3] CBS News. (2023). Flash Floods in Ruidoso, New Mexico: Ongoing Rescue Efforts. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flash-floods-ruidoso-new-mexico-ongoing-rescue-efforts-2023-06-28/
- The latest general news reports indicate that the car-accidents in Ruidoso, New Mexico, have increased due to the flooding, with over 85 swift water rescues conducted, some people still missing, and multiple homes and bridges damaged or destroyed.
- As the community grapples with the aftermath of the floods, weather updates from the National Weather Service remain crucial, as another round of monsoon rains could exacerbate the situation and potentially lead to more car-accidents and flash floods.
