12-07-2025
Record-breaking flooding destroys homes, leaves 3 dead in Ruidoso
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Floodwaters reaching more than 20 feet hit the Village of Ruidoso Tuesday, and claimed the lives of three people, including two children. On Wednesday, Mayor Lynn D. Crawford said they're clearing debris while search and rescue teams continue, as more rain is expected.
Last year, the Village of Ruidoso faced historic burn scar floods, but on Wednesday, they said these floods have surpassed that. The mayor said at a news conference Wednesday that after a year of rebuilding, they had just gotten back on their feet. 'We were there and now again we're not. So we're backed up and that creates quite a dichotomy because we are here today talking about the catastrophe that we just experienced, the biggest catastrophe of all is the three lives that we lost,' said Mayor Crawford.
The Village of Ruidoso said a flash flood emergency was declared at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, warning the public to get to high ground. The floods hit a record high of over 20 feet, beating last year's record-setting of 15 feet.
The areas hit the hardest include the Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, Cedar Creek, and Paradise Canyon. The Village of Ruidoso said they had approximately 65 swift water rescues with people getting stuck in homes, cars, and trees.
About 18 to 20 people were displaced and are staying at the Village Community Center. The mayor confirmed that a 4-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, and a 40 to 50-year-old man were swept downstream and killed.
Officials have not released the names of the victims. KRQE News 13 has learned that a Fort Bliss soldier and his family were in Ruidoso and caught in the record flooding. The soldier and his spouse sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Texas. The couple's children were declared dead.
The New Mexico National Guard currently has approximately 70 members in Ruidoso and has a Black Hawk helicopter on standby to help with search and rescue missions. The Village of Ruidoso said they have an outdoor warning system that they did not activate because it's reserved for full town evacuations, saying the flooding only affected specific areas.
According to officials, 30 – 50 homes have been destroyed, and the number could rise as crews work to assess the damage. All shelters are open for anyone who needs to utilize them. A missing persons hotline was set up at (575) 637 – 0398. Residents can monitor updates from the Village of Ruidoso via social posts, which can be accessed through the village website by clicking here.
Officials also say the second leg of the Triple Crown quarter horse racing, which was supposed to start this weekend, will not be happening. Ruidoso Downs Race Track crews had begun restoring the track earlier this year, putting in culverts and a retention basin to help with flooding. Video from Tuesday shows flood water taking over the track, overpowering those flood mitigation efforts.
The Ruidoso Downs released the following statement:
We want to start this morning by saying thank you to all those that have reached out and checked in on our property, team members and animals. Due to the severity of the flood waters, we are currently assessing all damage to best determine next steps. Safety is our top priority and what we will focus on today as we work towards a plan. We will continue to post on social media and our website as details come available. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and serve as a reminder that we are stronger together. #ruidosostrong
Ruidoso Downs
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