Heavy downpours caused flash floods in New Mexico on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, killing at least three individuals, including two young children, and trapping dozens of people in homes and automobiles in the resort community of Ruidoso, according to a state emergency official and the village.
The mountain resort community posted on its website late Tuesday that a man and two children, ages four and seven, were swept downstream and later found deceased. The victims, a man believed to be in his 40s or 50s, a 4-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy, were reported to have been swept downstream for nearly two miles.
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The 2024 South Fork and Salt fires left burn scar areas exposed to heavy monsoonal rains, which exacerbated the floods by creating hazardous circumstances that caused the water level to increase quickly across the community.
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Rescue and Relief Operations
According to Danielle Silva, a spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, emergency teams led by the National Guard and local law enforcement carried out at least 85 swift-water rescues in and around Ruidoso, many of which involved individuals trapped in homes and vehicles by high flood waters. As the waters subsided by Tuesday evening, search and rescue teams searched the town for those who might be missing, and public works workers cleaned up debris off the roads.
About 20 displaced individuals were housed at the Ruidoso Community Center, located at 501 Sudderth Drive, one of three shelters that opened in the Ruidoso region. The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line, 1-855-662-7474, offers counseling services. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham requested federal assistance to aid in recovery operations and proclaimed a state of emergency.
| Rescue and Relief Efforts | Details |
|---|---|
| Swift-Water Rescues | At least 85 have been conducted in the Ruidoso area |
| Agencies Involved | Local law enforcement, National Guard |
| Shelters Opened | Three, including Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive |
| Counseling Services | Available via New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (1-855-662-7474) |
| Federal Relief | Requested by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham |
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Damage by Flash Floods in New Mexico
At the height of the flood, the Rio Ruidoso broke the previous record of 15.86 feet recorded on July 20, 2024, rising to a preliminary record of 20.24 feet (6.2 meters). Social media and news sites shared dramatic video footage of a whole house that had been torn from its foundations and was rushing downstream through the muddy, brown waves of the flood-engorged Rio Ruidoso while side-swiping trees.
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Flooding intensified due to degraded soil and a landscape scarred by flames, stripped of vegetation by previous wildfires, which increased debris flow. According to preliminary estimates, between 35 and 50 residences were demolished or severely damaged.
| Environmental Impact | Details |
|---|---|
| River Crest Height | 20.24 feet (6.2 meters), record-breaking |
| Previous Record | 15.86 feet (July 20, 2024) |
| Homes Damaged/Destroyed | 35–50 (preliminary estimate) |
| Contributing Factor | Wildfire burn scars from the 2024 South Fork and Salt fires |
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How to Seek Help and Available Resources
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Temporary Shelter | Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive (one of three shelters opened in the region) |
| Counseling Services | New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-662-7474 |
| Emergency Information | Visit www.ruidoso-nm.gov/emergency-information or follow the Village of Ruidoso’s official social media channels for updates |
| Spanish-speaking Assistance | Call (505) 765-7604 or (928) 276-8184 for assistance in Spanish |
| Federal Assistance | Visit www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for federal disaster relief |
| Local Emergency Services | For immediate assistance, contact 911 or local law enforcement |
| Report Missing Persons | Call 575-637-0398 to report missing family, friends, or neighbors |
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