The recent catastrophic events near Ruidoso, New Mexico, have taken a tragic toll, resulting in the loss of three lives, with one individual still unaccounted for.
On July 9, New Mexico officials confirmed that over 200 homes sustained damage during a devastating flash flood that struck Ruidoso the previous day. Local emergency managers caution that this figure may more than double as assessments continue to unfold.
“Things have changed,” remarked Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford during a press briefing on July 10. “The extent of the damage exceeds our initial estimates. … We’ve had to reassess our approach to move forward.”
The floods were instigated by monsoon rainfall that unleashed torrents from the Rio Ruidoso river, cascading down the surrounding mountains and through burn scar areas left by previous wildfires. Although a flood watch was issued nearly 12 hours prior, the National Weather Service reported that the Rio Ruidoso surged to a major flood stage of 15 feet within just one hour of the initial warning.
According to a statement released by Ruidoso authorities on July 8, the river’s levels reached a staggering 20 feet, resulting in the tragic loss of a 40 to 50-year-old man, along with a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, who were camping at an RV park by the riverside. Their bodies were subsequently recovered downstream.
Danielle Silva from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported that emergency personnel executed at least 85 swift-water rescues in the Ruidoso area, aiding individuals trapped in homes and vehicles.
One person remains missing.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” Mayor Lynn Crawford stated. “The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time.”
On July 10, Crawford noted that the flood damage was significantly more extensive than previously understood, highlighting critical damage to water lines and facilities supplying potable water.
Meanwhile, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham undertook an aerial survey of Ruidoso and its surroundings, aiming to strengthen the case for additional federal funding for recovery efforts. She announced that partial approval for a federal emergency declaration had been secured, which will facilitate personnel deployment for incident management and search and rescue operations.
The federal government is expected to advance $15 million to kickstart recovery initiatives through the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This figure could escalate beyond $100 million in the months ahead, as Ruidoso has formally requested this amount to transform flood-prone private lands into public property.
Ruidoso has spent the past year recuperating from the aftermath of wildfires and subsequent flooding.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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