Unprecedented New Mexico flooding leaves at least 3 dead, including 2 children with search and rescue ongoing
Officials said the victims, an adult male, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, were swept downstream by the unprecedented flooding that occurred in a burn scar area from recent wildfires.
Deadly New Mexico floods claim 3 lives as Ruidoso River hits record crest
Devastating flooding has claimed three lives, including two children, in New Mexico. The unprecedented flooding was unleashed by torrential rain, causing a rapid and historic rise in the Rio Ruidoso River. It crested at a record-breaking 20.24 feet. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is on the ground in Ruidoso with the latest.
RUIDOSO, N.M. – Torrential rain in New Mexico triggered unprecedented and historic flooding in the community of Ruidoso on Tuesday, leading to the deaths of at least three people, including two children, as well as dozens of swift water rescues.
Officials said the victims – an adult man, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy – were swept downstream by the rushing waters that occurred in a burn scar area from recent wildfires.
![This image shows the aftermath of flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.]()
Image 1 of 6This image shows the aftermath of flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (NMDOT/Facebook)
![This image shows damage left behind after catastrophic flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.]()
Image 2 of 6This image shows damage left behind after catastrophic flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (NMDOT/Facebook)
![Emergency vehicles respond to flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico on July 8, 2025.]()
Image 3 of 6Emergency vehicles respond to flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico on July 8, 2025. (Lorr Mrtz/Facebook)
![Rio Ruidoso at 3 p.m., before the flooding hit.]()
Image 4 of 6Rio Ruidoso at 3 p.m., before the flooding hit. (USGS/ NWS Albuquerque)
![At 3:30 the flood wave reached the Rio Ruidoso.]()
Image 5 of 6At 3:30 the flood wave reached the Rio Ruidoso. (USGS/NWS Albuquerque)
![The Rio Ruidoso reaches major flood stage at 15 feet at 4 p.m.]()
Image 6 of 6The Rio Ruidoso reaches major flood stage at 15 feet at 4 p.m. (USGS/ NWS Albuquerque)
"Out of respect for the families during this difficult time, we will not be releasing their identities at this time," Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said at a news conference on Wednesday morning.
In addition, Crawford said three people were taken to a local hospital and have been listed in stable condition.
Watch: Timelapse video shows rapid river rise in Ruidoso, New Mexico
A video provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shows the Rio Ruidoso rising fast as torrential rain fell over the region on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque said that the Rio Ruidoso reached a record-breaking crest of 20.24 feet – several feet over the major flood stage of 15 feet.
"Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy," Crawford said. "The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion for 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."
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency declaration on Tuesday, requesting a federal response on the ground in the area immediately.
"We're encouraged that additional federal resources are already on the way," she said.
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Watch: Home swept away during Flash Flood Emergency in New Mexico
A dramatic video recorded in Ruidoso, New Mexico, shows the moment when a home was swept downstream by raging floodwaters during a Flash Flood Emergency on July 8, 2025.
A dramatic video recorded in Ruidoso showed a home being swept downstream as the river raged, eventually being destroyed as it began to hit trees and other debris.
Ruidoso officials said the flash flooding occurred when heavy monsoon rains fell across burn scar areas from the South Fork and Salt fires, creating dangerous conditions that led to the rapid water rise across the community.
At least 65 swift-water rescues were conducted during the disaster.
Crawford said a Flash Flood Warning was issued at 2:20 p.m. local time on Tuesday, and the Flash Flood Emergency was issued about 27 minutes later.
"So, as you can tell, it came on pretty fast," he said. Emergency alerts were sent to the Rio Ruidoso area just before 2 p.m., and to the Cedar Creek and Paradise Canyon area around 2:19 p.m.
"This was to let everyone know to get to higher ground immediately," Crawford said. There are outdoor warning sires, but Crawford said those were not activated because those are only used during a town-wide evacuation, which did not occur.
Watch: Fast-moving water rushes across Ruidoso road during deadly flash flooding
A video recorded in Ruidoso, New Mexico, shows fast-moving floodwaters rushing across a a road on Tuesday, July 8.
Officials said the community is working closely with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.
The Ruidoso Community Center has been opened as a temporary shelter for displaced residents.
On Wednesday morning, officials in Ruidoso said that crews have been working to get power restored in the wake of the flash flooding. They've asked residents to stay away from any downed power lines and to contact the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) to report downed wires.
In addition, the Village of Ruidoso Water Department is working on water main breaks and issues in some areas due to the flooding.
How did the New Mexico flooding happen?
Watch: Security camera captures dramatic rise of Rio Ruidoso in New Mexico
A home security camera set up in a New Mexico kitchen shows the rapid rise of the Rio Ruidoso after heavy rain led to a Flash Flood Emergency on Tuesday, July 8.
The FOX Forecast Center said that the flooding came as a result of 1.5-3.5 inches of rain falling on the nearby South Fork burn scar in just a few hours.
According to the National Weather Service, a layer of ash forms on the topsoil while a water-repellent coating is just below that layer of ash. Water-repellent soils form when organic materials such as trees, shrubs, plants and litter burn at high intensities.
Water-repellent compounds vaporize and condense on colder soil layers below, preventing soil from absorbing water. When rain starts to fall over these regions, the risk of a debris flow (or a mudslide) increases.
More than 1.5 inches of rain fell in one hour at the peak of the Ruidoso event. That sent a wall of water down the river toward Ruidoso.
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Lincoln County on Tuesday afternoon, and dozens of reports of flash flooding were received by late Tuesday night.
This graphic shows historic crests of the Rio Ruidoso.
(FOX Weather)
After Tuesday afternoon’s intense rain, the Rio Ruidoso reached a historic crest of 20.24 feet, breaking the previous record of 15.86 feet set on July 20, 2024.
The river rose 19 feet in just 30 minutes, which was a faster rate than the Guadalupe River rose in Kerrville, Texas, during the deadly flooding event that occurred over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
More rain and isolated thunderstorms are possible again in New Mexico on Wednesday, keeping the area vulnerable to more flash flooding.
Flooding damage in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Video from FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray shows damage in Ruidoso, New Mexico the morning after deadly flooding in the area.