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Flash Floods Kill Three in Ruidoso as Rescue Efforts Continue

Last year’s wildfire burn scars funneled monsoon deluge into the Rio Ruidoso to trigger record river levels.

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Overview

  • Three people—a man and two children aged four and seven—were swept away by Tuesday’s flash floods and later confirmed dead as waters receded.
  • Emergency responders, including National Guard teams, completed more than 85 swift-water rescues during late-afternoon peak river levels.
  • The Rio Ruidoso reached a provisional crest of 20.24 feet, pending official confirmation, after rising over six metres in under an hour.
  • Three additional flood victims remain hospitalized in stable condition and shelters have been opened for displaced residents.
  • Search and rescue operations continue to comb debris from burned terrain stripped by last year’s South Fork and Salt fires.