A New Mexico mountain town, affected by severe wildfires last year, experienced hazardous flooding on Tuesday. This occurred after heavy rain poured over the scorched areas, as reported by officials.
A representative from the village of Ruidoso informed NBC News about ongoing rescues, although no injuries or fatalities had been confirmed by Tuesday afternoon.
The village posted on Facebook, urging residents to contact the community’s emergency operations center if they were unable to reach family members.
Videos posted on social media and verified by NBC News showed roads submerged in fast-moving floodwaters and a home smashing into trees after it was swept down a local river, Rio Ruidoso.
The National Weather Service said the river appeared to have crested at a record 20 feet Tuesday.
The agency issued a flash flood emergency after an inch of rain had fallen by Tuesday afternoon on burn scars left by fires that tore through the area last year, killing two people and burning hundreds of homes.
“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!,” the agency said on X. “A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!”
A flash flood warning remained in effect until Tuesday night for the area.
Town officials said the rain would cause severe flash flooding in streams, creeks and ditches in the area burned by the South Fork Fire. The blaze ignited June 17, 2024, and burned through more than 17,000 acres.
Ruidoso, which has a population of 7,600 people, is roughly 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque, in the Sierra Blanca mountain range.
