EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Two children and a man have died as a result of the flash flooding on Tuesday, July 8, in Ruidoso, the Village of Ruidoso said in an update.
The Village says a seven-year-old boy, a 4-year-old girl, and a 40-50-year-old man were killed after they were swept downstream by the flood.
“All three individuals were caught in the rushing floodwaters and carried downstream during the catastrophic flooding event that saw the Rio Ruidoso rise to a record-breaking 20 feet, five feet higher than the previous record,” the Village said.
The flash flooding took place on Tuesday when heavy rain fell in the burn scar areas from last year’s South Fork and Salt fires. Crews conducted 50 to 60 water rescues during the flooding, the Village said.
Residents shared that the flooding has been worse than what they experienced last year after the two major wildfires.
Search and rescue operations are still underway, and the Village is working closely with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency declaration late Tuesday night, asking for federal help.
The Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive remains open as a temporary shelter for displaced residents. Counseling services are available through the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-662-7474.
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