Latest news with #Ruidoso
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ruidoso Downs handler recounts saving horses' lives during historic flooding
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – The historic floods that swept through Ruidoso damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, including the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino. The sudden floods quickly endangered hundreds of horses located throughout the Downs, but brave employees stepped up to help. The floods on Tuesday brought in more than 20 feet of water, putting race horses that were in their stalls in danger. How to donate to Ruidoso flood victims KRQE News 13 spoke with handler Pedrio Zubiate, who said dozens of workers risked their lives to rescue the animals. 'There were areas where the water was up to my knees,' said Zubiate. He said he was working in his stalls Tuesday afternoon when workers received a flash flood warning on their phones. He said his boss told him and the other workers to grab their belongings and rush down to help the horses near the track.'You could see the river that crosses down here. Start to rise, and rise, and rise, and rise. Once it overflowed, we could see horses with water up to their knees. That's when we said, get everything out,' said Zubiate. Officials say hundreds of homes damaged in Ruidoso flooding Zubiate said he, along with other workers, didn't hesitate to wade into the water to rescue more than 100 horses. He said that although they were in fear of the rising water and the possibility of a frightened horse hurting them, they couldn't leave the animals to suffer. 'Basically, we wake up with them, we eat with them, sleep with them. The truth is, it's a strong love we have for these animals, and letting them die, it's not an option,' Zubiate said. When asked if it was worth risking their own lives for the animals, Zubiate said it was an easy decision. 'People think, 'they're just animals.' It's not like that. No, for us, they're family.' Ruidoso Downs said the floods destroyed jockeys' quarters, timing mechanisms, and other necessary equipment needed to operate horse racing, leading them to cancel the races at the Ruidoso Downs this season. 'Well, it's hard. To start to move everything again. We were already set up here, getting used to the climate and prepping our horses, and now we have to start over again.' In a press release, Ruidoso Downs said their infield got more than 10 feet of water at the height of the flash flooding, but said no race horses died during the floods. Ruidoso Downs also announced that this year's All American Futurity, Derby, and Oaks will be held at the Albuquerque Downs on Labor Day. They added they're 'confident there will be horse racing again at Ruidoso Downs in 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mescalero Fish Hatchery loses 80% of its fish due to flooding
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – After Monday's devastating floods, the Mescalero Fish Hatchery has lost 80% of its fish. They say that despite this setback, their dedicated staff has been working nonstop to salvage what remains. Albuquerque crew to help with mosquito control in Ruidoso amid flooding As the hatchery works to recover, they say if you are interested in lending a hand, you can head on over. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Albuquerque crew to help with mosquito control in Ruidoso amid flooding
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) — A crew with the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department is being sent to Ruidoso on Tuesday to help with mosquito control amid historic flooding in the area. The decision comes after the crew initially went on standby last Friday. Story continues below News: New Mexico Supreme Court throws out embezzlement charges against former official Trending: A 'professional courtesy': How an officer crossed the line Community: Funding for farming internship program at APS in jeopardy KRQE Investigates: Embattled McKinley County DA asks for emergency funding to keep her office running 'Our mission will be to survey and assess the extent of standing water in order to determine the potential impact on mosquito abundance,' said City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department Deputy Director Dr. Mark DiMenna. 'Mosquito numbers can explode after flooding events, adding risk of disease transmission and nuisance to an already challenging situation.' There is some pesticide spraying going on in 'problem areas,' DiMenna says, but they have yet to see areas that 'absolutely demand it.' Moreso, the goal is to nip the problem in the bud. The crew is specifically keeping an eye out for the mosquito species that are more likely to carry disease. This is partly carried out through surveillance traps, also known as light traps, which will determine whether the mosquitoes in the area are capable of disease transmission, such as West Nile virus. The light traps attract mosquitos, then pull them into a small net basket. If the conditions are fitting, thousands of mosquitos can be pulled in overnight. KRQE caught up with DiMenna on Wednesday to see how the crews' efforts are going. 'We're here now,' said DiMenna. 'We are serving as many of the sites as we can get access to looking for any areas of standing water that were left from the flooding and then trying to assess how much that's going to contribute to the overall issue with mosquitoes as the season goes on for them.' DiMenna says Ruidoso's high elevation gives the town a bit of an advantage against mosquitos, seeing as the bugs typically thrive in low-lying areas. Although some mosquitos species are more likely to carry West Nile virus, it's important to note that many mosquitos are more nuisances than anything. 'There are 50 some different species of mosquitoes in New Mexico,' said DiMenna. 'Most of them are not important from a public health standpoint. They're nuisance biters. They bother people. They ruin picnics and barbecues, but they don't really transmit anything.' The Environmental Health Department offered these tips on preventing mosquito bites and disease exposure: 'Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends repellents that have been proven effective, which includes those containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 for use on skin, and permethrin for use on clothing. Always follow label directions when using insect repellents. Consider limiting exposure to mosquitos by not scheduling outdoor activities around dawn and dusk when they are most actively biting. Eliminate water-holding containers where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as old tires, and regularly change the water in birdbaths, wading pools and pet water bowls. Make sure rain barrels are tightly screened. When flood-irrigating, prevent water from standing for more than a few days Keep windows and doors closed if they do not have screens. If you leave your house doors or windows open, make sure they have screens that fit tightly and do not have holes.' 'Our hearts go out to the people of Ruidoso, and our teams are at the ready to support our neighbors,' said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. 'Mosquitos aren't just a nuisance, they can be a public health hazard after a disaster like this. We will continue to work in close collaboration with Ruidoso emergency management to ensure we support their efforts to rebuild their community.' For more information on mosquitoes, you can go to the City of Albuquerque website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ruidoso flash floods lead to several swift water rescue operations
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Flash floods in Ruidoso on Thursday prompted swift water rescues again, which saved several people caught stranded in their homes in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. A devastating flood in Ruidoso last week left a man and two children in Ruidoso dead. Now, only a week later, residents are once again picking up the pieces after a flash flood hit the village this afternoon. Story continues below News: Ruidoso flash floods lead to several swift water rescue operations Trending: New Mexico State Police explain middle of the night cell phone alert Community: What's happening in New Mexico July 18-24? Route 66 Summerfest and more Sports: Eck ready to build for the future, Mendenhall provides clarification on UNM departure 'They put their helmets on, they go to work, and they go in there and get those folks and get them to safety,' said Ruidoso Mayor, Lynn Crawford. According to Mayor Crawford, two people were rescued from the Cherokee Mobile Home Park on highway 70, just southeast of Ruidoso. He says one person was rescued from their home, after water levels got too high to leave. The other was rescued in the water, after being swept away. 'We did have a few that decided, you know, 'I'm going to stay, I'm going to ride this one out', [but] later got a phone call and had to go in and save them,' Mayor Crawford said. Rescue teams in Ruidoso Downs were also busy today. Ruidoso Downs police say several people were rescued from the Friedenbloom Trailer Park, including children. There were no injuries. 'I know people have emergency fatigue, but we got to pay attention,' Mayor Crawford said. Mayor Crawford said the Cherokee Mobile Home Park rescues could have been prevented, and is pleading with the public to listen to evacuation orders and other crucial announcements. 'After losing three lives last week, we're all very much aware of that, and so that's on top of our minds. So, when we ask people to evacuate, we would ask them, please, please, I know it's not comfortable, I know it's not fun, but please evacuate,' Mayor Crawford said. Ruidoso leaders are asking the public to register for CallMeRuidoso– a notification website that sends emergency alerts directly to your cellphone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Free Malaysia Today
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Flash floods in New Mexico resort town kill 3, trap dozens
Footage on social media showed an entire house careening downstream through the flood-engorged Rio Ruidoso river. (AP pic) LOS ANGELES : Torrential rains triggered flash floods in New Mexico that killed at least three people yesterday, including two young children, and trapped dozens in homes and vehicles in the resort village of Ruidoso, a state emergency official and a village statement said. The children, aged four and seven years old, and a man were swept downstream and later found dead, the mountain resort village said late yesterday on its website, adding that rescue operations were underway. Dramatic video footage on social media and various news outlets showed an entire house, ripped from its foundations, careening downstream through the brown, muddy waters of the flood-engorged Rio Ruidoso, side-swiping trees as it went. 'I've seen the video. We don't know if anyone was in the house,' said Danielle Silva, a spokesman for the New Mexico department of homeland security and emergency management. Emergency teams organised by local law enforcement and the national guard conducted at least 85 swift-water rescues in and around Ruidoso, many of them people stranded in cars and homes by elevated flood waters, Silva said. Silva said the river had quickly risen by a provisional record of 6.2m at the peak of the flood, and as waters began to recede in the evening, authorities began searching for survivors in the debris. The latest floods come just four days after a deadly flash flood triggered by heavy rains along the Guadalupe River killed at least 109 people and left scores missing after ravaging a swathe of Texas Hill Country. In New Mexico, Silva said the severity of the debris flow was heightened by a flame-scarred landscape stripped of vegetation in a wildfire which was then followed by flooding that eroded the soil. Ruidoso, a popular summer retreat as well as ski resort nestled in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of south-central New Mexico, is located about 185km south of Albuquerque, the state's largest city.
