- Flash flooding in Ruidoso killed three people on July 8.
- The Rio Ruidoso reached a record 20 feet during the storm.
- Fifty to sixty swift-water rescues were conducted.
- New Mexico has requested federal emergency aid for response and recovery.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 — Three people, including two children, were killed on July 8, 2025, when powerful flash floods swept through the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico.
The tragic event unfolded after intense monsoonal rains fell on burn scar areas left by last year’s South Fork and Salt fires. These rains triggered a sudden and dangerous rise in water levels along the Rio Ruidoso, which reached an unprecedented 20 feet—five feet higher than its previous record.
The deceased include a man estimated to be in his 40s or 50s, a 4-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy. All were carried downstream by the surging floodwaters.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” said Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford in an official statement. “We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to supporting one another as we face this devastating loss together.”
In response to the flood, emergency crews carried out between 50 and 60 swift-water rescues. Search and rescue operations are still underway. The Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive has been opened as a temporary shelter for displaced residents.
Local authorities, including the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatalities. The Village of Ruidoso has asked for privacy for the affected families and noted that counseling is available through the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-662-7474.
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Governor Calls for Federal Aid
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement the evening of July 8, noting that Ruidoso had already endured wildfires and floods the previous year and now faces another round of devastation.
“This crisis demands immediate action,” said the governor. “Tonight, I signed an emergency declaration request to get federal response teams and repair resources on the ground immediately.”
Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized that while the state is mobilizing all available resources, federal support is urgently needed to help the community recover.
“We’ve watched Texas receive the federal resources they desperately needed, and Ruidoso deserves that same urgent response,” she stated.
Additional federal aid is reportedly already en route, and updates on the situation will be shared through the Village of Ruidoso’s official emergency page at www.ruidoso-nm.gov/emergency-information.
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