RUIDOSO, N.M. – A day after catastrophic flash flooding devastated the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency and warned that more dangerous weather could be on the way.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Wednesday afternoon through the evening, with forecasters warning of the potential for additional flash flooding in the Sacramento Mountains, including Ruidoso. Rainfall rates could reach up to one inch per hour, especially in burn scar areas west of the village.
The concern comes after Tuesday’s deadly flooding, which followed heavy rain over terrain scorched by last year’s wildfires. The storm triggered over 50 swift-water rescues and left three people dead, including a man in his 40s, a 4-year-old girl, and a 7-year-old boy who were caught in rushing floodwaters.
Governor Lujan Grisham said the state is “mobilizing every resource we have” and emphasized the need for federal support to aid in recovery. She compared the situation to recent flooding in Texas, which killed over 100 people and prompted a large-scale federal response.
“Ruidoso deserves that same urgent response,” the governor said in a statement Tuesday night.
Emergency crews remain on high alert as search and rescue operations continue, and residents are urged to stay informed and avoid flood-prone areas.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
