Devastating floods hit New Mexico as houses swept away in deluge after Texas death toll climbs to 111 with 173 missing
MORE devastating floods have hit several locations in America, with homes being swept away in New Mexico.
It comes as Texas still reels from its deadly flash floods that claimed the lives of more than 110 people, with a further 173 still missing.
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A house is carried away by flash flooding in New Mexico
Credit: AP
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Tucker Davis, who lost his home in last year's South Fork Fire, walks his dogs as flash flooding moves through a river in Ruidoso
Credit: Reuters
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Streets have turned into rivers in the mountain town of Ruidoso, NM
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Emergency first responders in midtown Ruidoso, New Mexico
Credit: Reuters
In New Mexico, the mountain town of Ruidoso was slammed by a sudden flash flood Tuesday afternoon, sweeping away a father and his two sons.
Videos shared online showed homes being swallowed by raging waters as streets turned into rivers.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Albuquerque warned: 'A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!
'Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!'
The flooding, fuelled by heavy rains on wildfire-scarred land, sent the Ruidoso River surging 15 feet in an hour, reaching a possible record 20.24 feet.
Emergency crews have launched nearly 100 swift-water rescues since the flash flood emergency was declared Tuesday afternoon.
Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford called the flooding "catastrophic" in a radio interview on Tuesday night.
He said: 'This one hit us harder than we were expecting.'
In Chicago, torrential downpours Tuesday night overwhelmed drainage systems, prompting a flash flood warning that lasted into early Wednesday.
What we know so far...
At least 110 people lost their lives and a further 173 people are still missing
Families of Camp Mystic girls were sent a chilling note letting them know if their daughters lived or died
Haunting pictures show empty bunks after 27 girls and counselors were killed
Trump is set to visit Texas on Friday as Karoline Leavitt hits back at 'depraved lie' against US President
Dad dies in floods after refusing to let go of still-missing sons
Staffing shortages may have impacted coordination with local emergency teams as the torrential rainfall hit on July 4
torrential rainfall hit on July 4 Other victims include the niece of the Kansas City Chiefs' owners, and sisters who were found dead with their hands locked together
Rain fell at a staggering rate of six inches per hour, submerging viaducts and closing stretches of the Dan Ryan and Eisenhower Expressways.
The National Weather Service urged residents 'not to attempt to travel' due to a 'dangerous and life-threatening' situation.
Water rescues were reported across several neighbourhoods, including areas near the United Center where over five inches of rain fell in just 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, North Carolina is reeling from the deadly aftermath of Tropical Storm Chantal, which dumped nearly a foot of rain across the central part of the state.
Three storm-related deaths are being investigated, local outlet WSOC TV reports.
Governor Josh Stein called it "a historic weather event" and praised emergency crews for their door-to-door rescue efforts.
'Storms like this show us what is best about North Carolina,' Stein said during a visit to Mebane, where homes were destroyed and dozens of roads remain impassable.
It comes as the death toll from Texas' catastrophic floods continues to rise, now at 111 with at least 173 still missing.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed that first responders 'will not stop until every person is accounted for.'
President Trump is set to visit Texas on Friday, though his administration has come under fire amid claims that National Weather Service staffing cuts may have delayed warnings.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding an investigation into whether vacancies and outdated systems contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, called the accusations 'a depraved lie,' insisting the NWS 'did its job' and the floods were 'an act of God.'
Read our Texas floods blog for the latest updates...
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