At least five people rescued from New Mexico mountain village after massive floods hit the area
The southern New Mexico community has been reeling this summer, with afternoon thunderstorms bringing more rain than the surrounding mountainsides can handle.
Past wildfires have stripped the hills of trees and vegetation, leaving the Ruidoso area vulnerable to repeated flooding.
3 Another afternoon of heavy rainfall on Thursday prompted flash flooding in the mountain village of Ruidoso.
AP
It was less than three weeks ago that massive flooding killed three people and damaged hundreds of homes, resulting in state and federal disaster declarations.
On Thursday, residents shared videos on social media that showed walls of muddy water coursing down creeks and over roads, ripping apart a mobile home and toppling trees along the way.
Authorities were blocking traffic to keep vehicles out of the water as onlookers watched from higher ground.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service routinely have been issuing flash-flood watches and warnings as the summer rainy season is in full force.
3 On Thursday, residents shared videos on social media that showed walls of muddy water coursing down creeks and over roads, ripping apart a mobile home and toppling trees along the way.
Justin Portwood via REUTERS
3 Flood watches also were issued Thursday for parts of northern New Mexico, according to reports.
Justin Portwood via REUTERS
They reported Thursday that one stretch of the Rio Ruidoso had risen to roughly 12.5 feet (3.81 meters) as a result of the burn-scar flooding.
Flood watches also were issued Thursday for parts of northern New Mexico around burn scars left by the 2022 Calf Canyon Hermit's Peak blazes.
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