() Heavy monsoon rains that hit southern New Mexico and triggered a flash flood warning were so intense that an entire house was swept away in the process.
According to affiliate KRQE, three people died and some people were hospitalized as a result of the floods on Tuesday. Among the victims were a four-year-old girl, a seven-year-old boy and a man in his 40s to 50s. Rio Ruidoso in New Mexico rose a record-breaking 20 feet in about 30 minutes.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said in a statement. “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 flooding comes days after floods hit central Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which left 119 people dead and more than 170 others are still missing.
New Mexico’s governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, has declared a state of emergency and requested federal response teams for the area. She said the state has already sent support, and some federal resources are also on their way.
Officials in Ruidoso said around 50 to 60 people were rescued Tuesday night, and that search and rescue operations are still underway.
