Latest news with #SouthForkFire
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
3 dead after historic flooding in Ruidoso
Editor's Note: The Village of Ruidoso confirmed late Tuesday night that three people died in the flooding. This story has been updated with that information. This is a developing story; KRQE News 13 will provide updates as it becomes available. RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Devastation has hit Ruidoso again. Tuesday night, three people died, dozens had to be rescued, and homes were destroyed after violent flash flooding. Late Tuesday night, the Village of Ruidoso confirmed that a four-year-old girl, seven-year-old boy, and a 40 to 50-year old man were swept downstream and killed. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency, requesting federal response teams for the area. She added the state has already sent support and some federal resources are already on their way. 'Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,' said Mayor Lynn Crawford in a news release. 'The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time. We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to supporting one another as we face this devastating loss together.' Story continues below News: Ruidoso residents begin long road to recovery following historic flooding Entertainment: Paul McCartney to perform in Albuquerque for the first time News: Record-breaking flooding destroys homes, leaves 3 dead in Ruidoso Community: Proposed project would add bicycling-centric upgrades along Buena Vista in ABQ Historic flooding caused the Rio Ruidoso to rise to 20 feet, five feet higher than the previous record. Flooding caused an entire home to be swept away. 'We started the morning with a flash flood watch from the National Weather Service, so we knew there was something probably on the horizon,' said Village of Ruidoso Public Information Officer Kerry Gladden. Only hours later, that watch became an emergency. 'On the north end of town, we were starting to see some significant flooding,' said Gladden. Flash flooding tore through parts of Ruidoso Tuesday afternoon, impacting areas around Upper Canyon, Brady Canyon, and the Rio Ruidoso. 'I don't think it was a shock because we were prepared, but you know you certainly don't want to see it happen on this scale,' said Gladden. Last summer, the South Fork Fire devastated the village, and then burn scar flooding caused even more damage. Yet, many are saying what happened Tuesday is the worst they've seen so far, and village officials agree. 'We had one of our water gauges, which we call the Hollywood gauge, and it's down at the end of Ruidoso in between Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, and it saw a historical high of twenty feet,' said Gladden. Up from 15 feet just last year, Gladden said, swift water rescue crews quickly got to work. 'There was one home that was swept away, I do not know, I don't have any confirmation if there was anyone inside,' said Gladden. 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 that worked just two weeks ago. Gladden said this is the village's new reality for the next few years. She hopes in light of the tragedy in Texas, everyone takes these warnings seriously. Ruidoso officials said that there were 50-60 rescues made Tuesday. Search and rescue operations were still underway Tuesday night. A few people were taken to the hospital. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ruidoso flooding prompts water rescues after people were trapped in homes, officials say
The village of Ruidoso was under a flash flood emergency, as slow-moving storms moved over South Fork Fire burn scars, leading to multiple water rescues and people being trapped in their homes, officials said. Three people died in the flooding, including a man estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old, a 7-year-old boy, and a 4-year-old girl. All three were reportedly swept downstream during the flooding event. A flash flood emergency was triggered about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, by the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Hollywood, New Mexico remain under a flash flood warning until 7:15 p.m. "A dangerous situation is unfolding in Ruidoso," the National Weather Service posted. The Office of Emergency Management in Ruidoso urged people near Rio Ruidoso to move to higher ground immediately and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Swift water teams were out conducting rescues in Ruidoso, along with fire crews and police, said Kerry Gladden, public information officer for the village of Ruidoso. "There were water rescues that did happen today, along with people trapped in their homes with water around them," Gladden said. The village of Ruidoso also provided a phone number, 575-637-0398, for families that may have been separated in the flooding. The Ruidoso Emergency Call Center is working to reunite people that may not be able to get in touch. "We have lots of people separated because some were at work or at home," Gladden said. "We're providing a conduit so if anyone has been unable to make contact with a family member, we can help facilitate that." The flash flood emergency was put into place as slow-moving storms dump water over South Fork Fire burn scars, said Mike Hardiman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in El Paso. Up to three inches had fallen in the mountain areas as of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Hardiman said. "It's not right over Ruidoso but on the burn scars in the mountains so that could flood into town," he said. The village of Ruidoso warned burn scars from wildfires will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of streams, creeks, and ditches. The Rio Ruidoso at the Hollywood gage — found along the Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs border —recorded a historic crest, according to the National Weather Service. The river crested at 20.24 feet on Tuesday afternoon, compared to last year's crest of 15.86 feet. Ruidoso Downs Racetrack is flooded, and Quarter horse trainer Marc Jungers said his barn took on four feet of water, submerging horses up to their knees. "The track (Ruidoso Downs) is flooded. Mother Nature got us today. We just want to make sure the horses are OK and safe," Jungers said. Quarter horse trainer Eric Valenzuela said the track is in poor condition and the jockeys' room was impacted. While his stables, located on higher ground, were spared major damage, he noted uncertainty about the remainder of the meet. Discussions are underway about possibly relocating races to Albuquerque or Hobbs. The following sites will be used to provide temporary shelter during flooding: The Ruidoso Community Center, 501 Sudderth Drive ENMU-Ruidoso, 709 Mechem Drive (by Albertson's) Angus Church of the Nazarene, 103 Bonita Park Road, Capitan. Eddie Garcia, chief meteorologist with Albuquerque NBC affiliate KOB 4, shared a video on Facebook of a cabin being swept away by floodwaters. "A HOUSE in Ruidoso was washed away in flood waters just 30 min to an hour ago. Flash flood emergency until 5:15. Seek higher ground if you live in the area," Garcia posted on Facebook just before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. Ruidoso resident and arborist Jesus Figueroa also shared several videos on Facebook capturing flash flooding rushing through roads and cabins in the afternoon hours of Tuesday, July 8. Village of Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford stated on radio station 1490 KRUI that crews are currently searching for three people reported missing. "Unfortunately…they're still doing a lot of assessments," Crawford said during an 8 p.m. update. "These events come on pretty quick…this one may be the worst one." Apache Summit and Highway 70 remain open, as well as Sutter, though numerous other streets remain closed in the village. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Ruidoso flash flooding on Tuesday prompts water rescues
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Devastating floods hit New Mexico as houses swept away in deluge after Texas death toll climbs to 111 with 173 missing
FLOOD CARNAGE 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. 4 A house is carried away by flash flooding in New Mexico Credit: AP 4 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 4 Streets have turned into rivers in the mountain town of Ruidoso, NM 4 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...
NBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
Flash flood emergency hits New Mexico town that burned in deadly wildfires
A New Mexico mountain town hit by devastating wildfires last year saw dangerous flooding Tuesday after heavy rain fell on areas burned in the blazes, officials said. A spokesperson for the village of Ruidoso told NBC News that there had been rescues and some were still underway. No injuries or death had been reported as of Tuesday afternoon. In a post on Facebook, the village asked people who could not reach their families to report the missing to the community's emergency operations center. Videos posted on social media and verified by NBC News showed roads submerged in fast-moving floodwaters and a home smashing into trees after it was swept down a local river, Rio Ruidoso. The National Weather Service said the river appeared to have crested at a record 20 feet Tuesday. The agency issued a flash flood emergency after an inch of rain had fallen by Tuesday afternoon on burn scars left by fires that tore through the area last year, killing two people and burning hundreds of homes. 'A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!,' the agency said on X. 'A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!' A flash flood warning remained in effect until Tuesday night for the area. Town officials said the rain would cause severe flash flooding in streams, creeks and ditches in the area burned by the South Fork Fire. The blaze ignited June 17, 2024, and burned through more than 17,000 acres. Ruidoso, which has a population of 7,600 people, is roughly 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque, in the Sierra Blanca mountain range.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Fork Memorial honors community, first responders
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – The one-year anniversary of the South Fork Fire is coming up this month, and a memorial ceremony is scheduled to commemorate the event. On Tuesday, June 17, the community is invited to honor those who were impacted by the fires and floods and to recognize the first responders to answered the call. Forestry Division contractors restore damages from South Fork, Salt fires The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. at Wingfield Park. Food vendors and live music will follow the memorial. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
