WATCH: Home washes away in Ruidoso flooding, creeks full of fast-moving debris
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Ruidoso was hit hard by flash flooding on Tuesday, July 8.
A home washed away in the Ruidoso area and swift-moving creeks were full of debris after a strong storm hit Ruidoso around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Kaitlyn Carpenter shared this video on Facebook of a home being washed away at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in the Ruidoso area.
Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services said they conducted “several” swift-water rescues and rescues from flooded structures. Crews from multiple agencies will be on standby overnight to assist residents and do whatever else is needed, the Lincoln County OES said.
Damage assessments will be done in the morning, the Lincoln County OES added.
Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said there are no confirmed fatalities, but there are missing people. Search-and-rescue operations are being done.
Residents told our KTSM crew up at Ruidoso that this was worse than anything they experienced last year after the South Fork and Salt fires.
The Village of Ruidoso issued a warning about a potential “flash flood emergency” and urged residents to seek higher ground, especially people near the fast-moving Rio Ruidoso.
The U.S. Geological Service says the Rio Ruidoso rose from 2 feet to 15 feet in about two hours.
Jesus Figueroa shared this video on Facebook of a creek full of debris rapidly moving through the Ruidoso area.
Here are some images taken by Figueroa as well.
The National Weather Service says much of central New Mexico was under a flood watch until about 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” it said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris.”
The Village reported that multiple roads are closed because of flooding.
The Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services said that Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs were hit with a strong storm cell starting at about 2 p.m.
Multiple fire and law-enforcement agencies responded to the flooding, OES said.
A gas leak was reported in the River Trail area. A water main break impacted water service along Sudderth Drive, the Village of Ruidoso reported.
Several shelters have opened up for people who need them.
The Ruidoso Community Center, 501 Sudderth, is open for anyone needing a temporary place to stay.
ENMU-Ruidoso, 709 Mechem, is also open for temporary refuge.
Angus Church of the Nazarene, 103 Bonita Park in Capitan, is also available for those needing temporary refuge.
If you have family, friends, or neighbors who are unaccounted for after Tuesday’s flooding, call (575) 637-0398.
If you have been affected by the flooding, you can click here and do a damage survey.
