 United States Geological Survey CCTV still of the flooding | |
| Cause | Heavy rains |
|---|---|
| Meteorological history | |
| Duration | July 8, 2025 (1 day) |
| Flood | |
| Maximum rainfall | 2.5–3.5 inches (63.5–88.9 mm) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Injuries | ≥3 |
| Missing | 4[1] |
| Areas affected | Ruidoso, New Mexico |
| Houses destroyed | Multiple[2] |
On July 8, 2025, heavy rains caused deadly flash flooding along the Rio Ruidoso, in the Ruidoso, New Mexico, area, killing three people and necessitating numerous water rescues. The river crested at a record 20 ft (6 m). Wildfire burn scarring from 2024 exacerbated the flooding impact.
Search and rescue operations
[edit]
Emergency crews carried out at least 85 swift water rescues, including people trapped inside their homes and cars. Rescue operations were still underway overnight.[1] At least three people were taken to hospital in stable condition.[3] Two children were swept away during the flooding.[4] They were later confirmed to be killed.[5] Their parents suffered severe injuries but survived. The third person killed, a man in his 40s or 50s, was unidentified.[6] In a press conference on July 9, officials said that four people remained missing.[1]
Aftermath
[edit]Multiple houses were washed away during the floods, causing hundreds to be displaced.[2][7] A video posted on social media shows a house being swept away by the water.[8] In total, at least 200 houses were damaged during the floods with the possibility of increasing to double.[9] Multiple bridges and roads were submerged underwater.[1]
Cause
[edit]The floods were triggered by the Rio Ruidoso rapidly rising to a record 20 ft (6 m), which caused large amounts of water to flood into a wildfire burn scar.[10][11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "3 dead after historic flash flooding hits New Mexico town ravaged by wildfires". NBC News. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Handful of flash floods reported Monday in Ruidoso amid new evacuation orders". Source NM. July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ "3 missing, house swept away as flash flooding hits mountain village in New Mexico". Associated Press. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "A father and two children have been swept away by flash floods in New Mexico, the National Weather Service (NWS) says". LBC. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "New Mexico flash flooding kills 3 in a mountain village". Associated Press. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "3 dead, including 2 children of Fort Bliss soldier, in New Mexico flooding, local authorities say". ABC News. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "We're ending our live coverage". BBC News. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "See A Home Swept Away In Deadly New Mexico Flood". The Weather Channel. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "As many as 200 homes damaged as officials survey the aftermath of a deadly New Mexico flood". Airdrie City View. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Morton, Byron (July 9, 2025). "How Rio Ruidoso reached historic levels in minutes". KOAT. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Vawter, Hayley (July 8, 2025). "Ruidoso, New Mexico suffers damage again as heavy rain triggers record flash flooding in burn scars". FOX Weather. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Henson, Bob (July 18, 2025). "As flash floods rage, the tropical Atlantic stays mellow". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
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