Entire House Carried Downstream as Flash Flood Hits Ruidoso

RUIDOSO, N.M. — Severe flooding hit the Ruidoso area Tuesday afternoon.

Video taken by viewers showed an entire home swept away by flood waters.

The National Weather Service and Lincoln County Fire Services reported multiple rescue operations.

Information for Victims

Village officials are asking anyone who is missing family due to todays flooding to call the Ruidoso Emergency Operations Call Center at (575) 637-0398. The village also set up a survey, for residents to report damage.

Village officials say the Ruidoso Community Center is open for anyone needing temporary refuge. It is located at 501 Sudderth Drive.

The Humane Society of Lincoln County says it will post about any lost animals that come in. They ask anyone with a missing pet to call them at (575) 257-9841 to make a report.

The village is also dealing with a gas leak in the River Trail area. A post on the village facebook page says Zia Gas is aware of the situation.

Historic Flooding

The National Weather Service says the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood reached a provisional crest of 20.24 feet Friday afternoon. In comparison, Ruidoso’s 2008 flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Dolly crested at 12 feet, and last year’s flooding maxed out at 15 feet.

The following Flash Flood Warning was issued for the Ruidoso area Tuesday afternoon:

FFWABQ The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flash Flood Warning for… The Blue 2 burn scar in… South Central Lincoln County in central New Mexico… Until 600 PM MDT. At 257 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Blue 2 Burn Scar. Between 0.25 and 0.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will impact the Rio Bonito and Upper Eagle Creek. This includes but is not limited to all properties and structures along Forest Service Road 107, the Bonito Lake area, the Rio Bonito bridges on Highways 37 and 48, and areas downstream of Highway 48 along the Rio Bonito. Additional impacts are also possible along upper Eagle Creek Road to Ski Run Road. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials. HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Blue 2 Burn Scar. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Blue 2 Burn Scar. Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… Bonito Lake.

Ongoing Problems

The village has been dealing with repeated flooding issues ever since last year’s wildfires.

The Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino recently installed new piping and a retention pond to deal with flooding threats. Viewer video shared with KOB 4 showed the race track flooded once again.