Ruidoso residents begin long road to recovery following historic flooding

Yahoo

12-07-2025

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Dozens of people spent the day cleaning up what's left of their homes and businesses after deadly flooding on Tuesday in Ruidoso. Even with the mess and destruction, people here say they're lucky to be alive and a part of this mountain community.
PHOTOS: Historic flash flooding in Ruidoso causes destruction
Ruidoso Trading Post Owner Arnold Duke has spent the last 24 hours digging through debris at his business. 'This is going to slow us down a little bit, but it's not going to hold us down,' said Duke.
Video showed how much water filled his showroom on Mechem Drive. His showroom was filled with two feet of mud and debris scattered around. Despite the damage, some silver and turquoise was still hanging, muddy but in perfect shape, on the walls. 'That I got a big mess to clean up, but again, I'm blessed to be here and blessed that it wasn't worse. I mean, it is bad, but it could have been worse,' said Duke.
Record-breaking flooding destroys homes, leaves 3 dead in Ruidoso
Duke told KRQE News 13 that the water rose so high so quickly, it washed away at least a $1 million worth of jewelry product down this river. 'Then I have a customer in Dallas that says, I'll give you $500,000 to help you get back in business,' said Duke.
He appreciates the support he's received. 'It's amazing. You don't realize it. You know, you're so busy working all the time and you take for granted your friends, family, and customers.'
Historic flooding in Ruidoso leads to emergency declaration
About a 10-minute drive away in Paradise Canyon, people said the water rushed down and surrounded their homes in a matter of minutes. 'I opened the door, and the water was woosh. So I slammed the door shut and I go upstairs and that's when I panicked. When I looked out here, the whole road was covered about four feet deep, and it was running like a river,' said Dawn Swearingin, who lives in Ruidoso.
Flooding swept away cars, knocked down barriers built for flooding, and damaged homes. 'Water actually picked up the refrigerator. It was floating,' said Swearingin.
She got out unharmed and had helping hands on Wednesday. 'That's another business owner, they sent their work crew…there have been two or three people driving making sure people have Gatorade and water and baskets of food,' said Swearingin.
It's because of this mountain community that, despite fires and floods, this family will stay in Ruidoso, their home of more than 45 years. 'This is ruidoso strong. We are Ruidoso, Mescalero strong. Texas is strong. We're going to get through this because this doesn't drive us apart,' said Swearingin.
There are about 20 people displaced staying at the village community center.
For those looking to help, here are the locations to drop donations off and to pick them up:
Drop Off Locations:
Humane Society Resale Shop, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 25962 US-70, Ruidoso, NM 88345
Angus Nazarene Church, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 103 Bonita Park Rd, Angus, NM 88316
River Crossing Church, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 1950 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345
Monetary Donations, Community Foundation, https://www.cfolc.org/
Pick Up Locations:
Angus Nazarene Church, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 103 Bonita Park Rd, Angus, NM 88316
1st Christian Church (Starting Friday), Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 1211 Hull Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345
Gateway Church, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 415 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345
First Baptist of Ruidoso Downs, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4pm, 26367 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
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