Sarah Rubinstein and Todd Fuqua
Carlsbad Current-Argus

Flooding from rains along the burn scars of last year’s South Fork and Salt fires caused major damage and destruction along the Ruidoso River Tuesday, leading to at least three deaths.

The deluge also washed away homes, trapped people in structures, and flooded Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

The Village of Ruidoso confirmed three deaths Wednesday morning: a man and two children, ages 7 and 4, according to a press release from Kerry Gladden, spokesperson for the Village of Ruidoso.

All three individuals were caught in the rushing floodwaters and carried downstream during the catastrophic flooding event that saw the Rio Ruidoso rise to a record-breaking 20 feet – five feet higher than the previous record. Ruidoso Police Chief Steve Minner said all three were reported missing from the Riverside RV Park on Sudderth Dr.

“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” said Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford. “The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time. We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to supporting one another as we face this devastating loss together.”

The flash flooding occurred Tuesday around 3 p.m., when heavy monsoonal rains – about three inches in a 90-minute period – fell on burn scar areas from last year’s South Fork and Salt fires, creating dangerous conditions that led to rapid water rise throughout the village. Emergency crews conducted 65 swift-water rescues in the Upper Canyon, Mid Sudderth and Gavilan Canyon areas during the event.

In a press conference Wednesday, Crawford reported there are currently 12 road closures throughout the village, with safety inspections being conducted on all affected roads and bridges. There are also further assessments on how many homes and businesses were damaged, but Crawford warned they are expecting further flooding in the future, and they are not encouraging visitors to come to the village at this time.

He also said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency for Ruidoso, and the process to request federal disaster assistance is already underway.

Lujan Grisham confirmed in a later press release that she has signed an emergency declaration request for the flooding through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)

The Village of Ruidoso is working closely with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies as the investigation continues, Crawford said.

Eric Cueller, emergency management Coordinator for the village, said there were between 35 and 55 homes damaged by the flooding, but emphasized that these were preliminary numbers.

The Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive was opened as a temporary shelter for displaced residents. Approximately 20 people were at the community center Tuesday night, who were then moved to a hotel.

Counseling services are available through the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-662-7474. Those seeking missing individuals can call hot-line numbers at 575-637-0398 or 928-276-8184. A regular call center for non-emergency information is also available at 575-258-6901.

Updates will be provided as information becomes available. For the latest emergency information, visit www.ruidoso-nm.gov/emergency-information or follow the Village’s official social media channels.

Locals, leaders respond to floods

Across social media, Ruidoso residents and concerned people shared their own impacts from the flash flooding in Ruidoso.

A viral video of a house being washed away taken by Ruidoso resident Kaitlyn Carpenter was shared on national outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Resident Erica Sherwood posted a video on Instagram of flood water rushing past her house.

“Our cabin in #ruidoso escaping the flooding once again. Praise the lord,” she wrote.

Twitter user Natassia Paloma Thompson shared photos of her and her young son playing in Ruidoso.

“When my son was little, we’d spend hours getting lost along the creeks in Ruidoso. They were some of the best, most peaceful times I spent with him, and thankfully, God always took care of us. Praying for a beautiful place that is so special to so many,” she wrote.

New Mexico politicians were also outspoken over the flooding.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) posted a photo of a letter he sent to the president, urging him to sign Lujan Grisham’s request for relief funds.

“The scale of the disaster in Ruidoso demands an immediate and robust response. We’re calling on @POTUS to approve the Governor’s Major Disaster Declaration, and provide full support to respond and recover,” Heinrich wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) also posted the letter on X, stating: “What we are seeing in Ruidoso speaks for itself. This is a major disaster. Lives, businesses, and homes have been upended. @POTUS your administration must send federal support immediately.”

According to reporting by The Washington Post, more people are dying from flash flooding in the U.S. Last year, 145 people were killed in floods, well above the average of 85 deaths per year.

At the same time, businesses in Ruidoso and Alamogordo are accepting supplies for those impacted by the flash flooding in Ruidoso. The Village of Ruidoso Facebook page recommended that those interested can donate cleaning goods and supplies to the Humane Society Resale shop in Ruidoso, located at 25962 US HWY 70.

Alamogordo nonprofit Thrive in Southern New Mexico organized a donation drive for Thursday and Friday. Those interested can drop off items at 1601 East 10th Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nonprofit is collecting the following:

• Water

• Gatorade

• Protein bars

• Fruit bars

• Applesauce pouches

• Hand sanitizer

• Wipes

• Diapers

• Baby formula

• Protein shakes

• Toilet paper

• Pet food