Ruidoso Resilience: Community Battles Flash Flood Fury

Another intense afternoon downpour on Thursday led to flash flooding in Ruidoso, a mountain village in New Mexico. The resulting deluge forced road closures and required the rescue of at least five people trapped by the surging waters. This summer, the community has been grappling with frequent afternoon thunderstorms depositing more rain than the nearby mountainsides can absorb.

The situation has been exacerbated by past wildfires, which stripped the hills of trees and vegetation, leaving Ruidoso susceptible to repeated flooding. Just under three weeks ago, severe flooding killed three individuals and caused extensive damage to hundreds of homes, prompting state and federal disaster declarations.

Residents have been sharing dramatic videos on social media depicting walls of muddy water flowing through creeks and roads, dismantling a mobile home and uprooting trees. Meanwhile, authorities have been blocking traffic to prevent vehicles from entering the floodwaters, as bystanders watch from safer vantage points. The National Weather Service continues to issue flash flood warnings as the rainy season progresses, reporting significant water level rises, such as one stretch of the Rio Ruidoso swelling to 12.5 feet due to the burn scar flooding.

(With inputs from agencies.)