#USA #NewMexico #Ruidoso #FlashFlood #WildfireDamage #SouthForkFire #Blue2Fire #ExtremeWeather #ClimateAnomalies #DisasterResponse #Flooding #weather #climate #destruction #anomaly #climatechange
🇺🇸 SEVERE FLOODING HITS RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO — WILDFIRE AFTERMATH INTENSIFIES IMPACT

🌧 On July 8, 2025, the area around Ruidoso in southern New Mexico was struck by intense flash flooding triggered by heavy monsoonal rains. Burn scars left behind by the previous year’s South Fork and Blue 2 wildfires were unable to absorb the water, causing the Rio Ruidoso to rise rapidly to a record level of 20.24 feet (≈6.17 meters), surpassing the previous year’s high.

🚨 Emergency crews carried out at least 85 water rescues, evacuating dozens of residents from flooded homes and vehicles. One house was swept away entirely, and several people, including children, became trapped in the floodwaters. As of Wednesday evening, three people remain missing, and several others have been hospitalized.

🌍 The intensity of the flooding was worsened by the extensive wildfire damage to the terrain. With vegetation burned away, the soil could not hold back the rain, resulting in powerful runoff and debris flows.

📌 Sources:
✔️People: Flash Flood Overtakes New Mexico Village…
✔️Reuters: Flash flooding in New Mexico resort town…
✔️Associated Press: 3 missing, house swept away…