At least three dead in New Mexico flash flooding

At least three people died in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico after heavy rains that caused clear floods.

It fell up to 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) of rain, causing the Raydoso River to rise to a historical level. Flood water has now declined.

A man and two children died after being washed away in the direction of the river, and local officials confirmed on Tuesday evening.

A spokesman for the village of Roidoso Kerry Gladin told CBS Search and Resue Crews still in this field, and a hotline has been created for people looking for missing family members.

Roidoso’s emergency crews carried out at least 50 fast water rescue operations in the area, urging the residents to move to a higher land.

In a statement, Ms. Gladin said that three people were treated due to injuries in the local hospital.

Footage on the social media, which was taken by local artist Ketlin Carpenter, showed at least one house swept by flood water, as Raydoso Lin Crawford’s mayor was unable to confirm the number of homes lost.

Speaking at a local radio station, Mr. Krufford said: “It has become really ugly.”

NWS has warned that “burning scars” around Roidoso were very dangerous to the flash risk, as the charred soil left by forest fires last year will be “innovative with water like the sidewalk.”

South New Mexico was injured in forest fires in June 2024. Roidoso was evacuated with two fires about 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of the ground on both sides of the village.

Two people were killed and hundreds of homes were destroyed.

Subsequent reports stated that the risk of sudden floods will be increased for at least two years due to fires, and that the possibility of major flooding events in the region “has increased significantly.”