The alpine village was still recuperating from last year’s wildfires when flash floods came, causing even more devastation to the area.

Heavy rains on Tuesday, July 8 caused devastating flash floods and extensive damage in the town of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Online videos and images demonstrated the depth of the damage, with the rising waters having a significant impact on homes and businesses.

During a monsoon storm, the town experienced heavy flooding, causing homes to be damaged or washed away by the floodwaters. The turmoil has been exacerbated by reports of gas leaks and mudslides.

More than two dozen swift-water rescues had occurred, according to Mayor Lynn Crawford, and several bridges were submerged. While emergency personnel resumed their search, many were still missing.

Seasonal monsoon storms, which occur from late June to early September and can bring with them unexpected downpours and swift-moving flash floods, were implicated in the flooding.

Crawford described Tuesday’s event as one of the worst he had seen, compounding what he called a catastrophic stretch for the town. “Last year we had a bad one or two, but this one was right there with it,” he noted.

There were reports of animals and people being killed in the flooding, as well as several persons being hospitalised, and some 30 swift-water rescues had been completed.

Three fatalities were formally reported by the Village of Ruidoso. The victims were carried downstream by the record-breaking floodwaters and included a seven-year-old boy, a four-year-old girl, and a guy who was thought to be between forty and fifty years old.

On social media, community members have posted further losses in addition to the official dead toll. They included Tiffanie Wyatt, who subsequently confirmed that both of her niece and nephew had perished in the flood while she was looking for them.

Five-year-old Charlotte and seven-year-old Sebastian Trotter, who were last seen at Midtown RV Park, had also not survived, according to Darnell Benally, another neighbour.

Crawford expressed condolences to the affected families, emphasizing, “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.”

As the community moves through this time of grief, officials have requested privacy on behalf of the bereaved families. Additionally, they have advised people who are in dry, safe areas to stay put because the situation is still dangerous. The community also advised citizens to report missing persons to the emergency operations centre if they were unable to contact their loved ones.

As the investigation into the flooding fatalities continues, the Village of Ruidoso is coordinating with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, and other organisations.

The Ruidoso Community Centre, located at 501 Sudderth Drive, is open as a makeshift refuge for anyone affected by the tragedy, and search and rescue operations are still underway. As further information becomes available, it will be shared.

Online footage that have been verified showed the extent of the flood destruction, including roads that were flooded and a house that was washed down the Rio Ruidoso before colliding with trees. The river was small enough to cross on foot prior to the storm, but the abrupt rise made it a perilous stream.

The Rio Ruidoso seemed to have crested at a record 20 feet on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. After almost an inch of rain poured on the burn scars from last year’s wildfires, which burned hundreds of houses and claimed two lives, a flash flood emergency was declared.

The South Fork Fire, one of the most destructive fires, started on June 17, 2024, and burned more than 17,000 acres. Crawford claims that because of the fire’s extreme intensity, the earth became hydrophobic and unable to absorb water, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic floods.

In the wake of the wildfires, the town had already seen flooding the previous year. But Crawford said, “This one hit us harder than we were expecting.”

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico signed an emergency declaration request Tuesday night, requesting federal aid in response to the deteriorating situation.

She also wrote in a statement, “Ruidoso endured devastating wildfires and flooding last summer, and now catastrophic flooding is hitting this resilient community again. This crisis demands immediate action.”

Due to its rugged terrain and the presence of burn scars from recent fires, Ruidoso, a town of 7,600 people located 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque in the Sierra Blanca mountain range, is still particularly susceptible to flash flooding.

After record-breaking floods claimed the lives of at least 51 people, search and rescue operations are still underway throughout Texas in another tragic flood event. As rescuers search through wreckage and waterlogged regions, officials claim that scores are still missing and that optimism is waning.

The hardest-hit county is Kerr County. There were 43 confirmed deaths, including 15 children, according to authorities. When floodwaters ripped through Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, many of the victims were there. There are still twenty-seven missing youngsters.

Casualties have also been recorded from other counties. Four deaths were confirmed by Travis County. One was reported by Tom Green and Kendall counties. The statewide death toll now stands at 51 after two additional deaths in Burnet County were reported late Saturday, July 5.

As recovery efforts continue, emergency teams fear that the number could increase. There are still several missing persons in the area.

On Friday, July 4, the Guadalupe River experienced devastating flooding due to severe rainfall, leaving 24 people dead and many missing. As floodwaters swelled and rushed across low-lying regions, Kerr County was hardest hit.

According to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, 24 people died as a result of the Guadalupe River floods alone. Children attending local summer camps made up a large number of the victims. One of the most severely damaged areas, Camp Mystic, continues to be the focus of rescue operations.

“We are not going to give any names at this time,” Sheriff Leitha said during a Friday night press conference. “We will be working around the clock 24/7 until everyone is found.”

About 23 youngsters from Camp Mystic were remained missing as of Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. Officials couldn’t confirm an updated number of missing by dark. While negotiating dangerous flooding and unstable terrain, emergency personnel are still searching.

Texas Game Wardens confirmed on July 5 that rescue teams had reached Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls. In a social media post, the agency shared images of the scene and wrote, “#TexasGameWardens have made entry into Camp Mystic with vehicles and are beginning to bring campers out!”

Camp Mystic, which was founded in 1926, is located close to Kerrville on the banks of the Guadalupe River. A mainstay of the Texas Hill Country, the camp is surrounded by pecan, cypress, and live oak trees. Once a picturesque getaway, its riverbank location became the focal point of rescue operations when floodwaters swept through the region.

A severe weather outbreak in Central Texas preceded the flooding. The area was hit by thunderstorms that dumped several inches of rain. According to meteorologists, the impact was exacerbated by a “flood wave.”

A flood wave is defined by the National Weather Service as an abrupt increase in streamflow brought on by rain, snowmelt, or dam releases. In this instance, the surge quickly changed the Guadalupe River’s flow in a matter of seconds.

The wave is seen approaching Centre Point, Texas, in a Facebook video. The video, which was shot from the Centre Point Bridge, shows a raging wall of water rushing through the riverbed. Instantly, the current grew, swirling with froth and debris.

Meteorologists say such waves can travel at speeds of 25 to 40 miles per hour during flash floods. “It’s literally a situation that’s unique to a flash flood area,” a forecaster from San Antonio’s WOAI said.

The identities of a number of children who perished in the flooding at Camp Mystic have been verified as recovery work proceed. In remembrance of the lives lost, families are now publicly expressing their sorrow.