Emergency responders successfully rescued all five people trapped by Thursday’s flash flooding in Ruidoso, marking a far less severe event than the deadly flooding that killed three residents just 16 days ago.
Heavy monsoon rainfall caused a major flash flood near the village of Ruidoso on Thursday afternoon, with the Rio Ruidoso cresting at 12.5 feet—reaching minor flood stage but staying well below the record-breaking levels that devastated the community on July 8.
According to village officials, five people were rescued from vehicles caught in the floodwaters, with all located outside of Ruidoso and confirmed safe. Emergency crews also reported that one structure was moved by Thursday’s floodwater.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a Flash Flood Warning for the area until 3:30 p.m., calling it “a dangerous and life-threatening situation” as thunderstorms produced flash flooding around the South Fork burn scar.
“Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams and ditches in the South Fork Burn Scar,” the weather service warned. “Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads.”
Thursday’s flooding, while dangerous, marked a dramatic contrast to the historic July 8 event that claimed three lives, including two young children. On that day, the Rio Ruidoso surged to a record-breaking 20.24 feet—several feet over the major flood stage of 15 feet and nearly eight feet higher than Thursday’s crest.
The July 8 flood rose more than 19 feet in less than an hour, representing the highest water levels since data collection began in 1978. That event required 65 swift-water rescues and swept entire homes downstream.
Thursday’s 12.5-foot crest, while still reaching minor flood stage, demonstrates the ongoing flood vulnerability facing Ruidoso residents in the aftermath of the 2024 wildfires.
The flash flooding occurred when heavy monsoon rains fell across burn scar areas from last year’s South Fork and Salt fires, creating the same dangerous conditions that led to July’s tragedy.
The South Fork and Salt Fires of summer 2024 scorched more than 15,000 acres, destroyed 1,400 structures, and left the landscape stripped of vegetation, making the terrain highly susceptible to erosion and flash flooding. The intense fires chemically altered the soil, making it water-repellent rather than water-absorbent.
“Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will impact Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, and Perk Canyon as well as the Cedar Creek, Eagle Creek and Rio Ruidoso drainages,” the weather service stated.
Village officials reported that floodwater was receding Thursday afternoon and roads were being cleared and reopened. Video showed several streams turning into raging rivers during the peak of the flooding.
Emergency shelters opened at two locations for residents needing temporary refuge:
ENMU – Ruidoso
709 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345
(575) 315-1120
Ruidoso Community Center
501 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345
(575) 257-4565
The weather service warned that debris flows “can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials” and urged residents encountering flood waters to “climb to safety.”
Areas have been under at least 12 separate flash flood emergencies since the June 2024 fires, with every significant rainfall event bringing renewed flood threats to the disaster-weary community.
