EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Ruidoso is being hit hard by flash flooding on Tuesday afternoon, July 8.
A home has washed away in the Ruidoso area and creeks are moving quickly full of debris on Tuesday afternoon, July 8 after storms hit the area.
There have been no official evacuations as of about 4 p.m. but several shelters have opened up.
The Village of Ruidoso has been under a flash flood emergency alert on Tuesday afternoon, the Village said on its Facebook page. The Village has asked residents to move to higher ground, especially anyone near the Rio Ruidoso.
The U.S. Geological Service says the Rio Ruidoso rose from 2 feet to 15 feet in about two hours.
Kaitlyn Carpenter shared this video on Facebook of a home being washed away at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in the Ruidoso area.
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 is 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 is reporting 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 that “dropped a lot of water on the area.”
Lincoln County OES reminds residents in the burn scar area that water flow off the mountain can be strong.
The County has a team responding to the area and there have been multiple calls about people being impacted by flooding.
The County has not confirmed any active resuces at this time. There have been no official evacuations as of this time.
However, several shelters have opened up.
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 are currently missing any family due to Tuesday’s flooding, call (575) 637-0398.
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