At least three people died in flash floods in New Mexico

At least three people died in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, after heavy rains caused mountain flooding.

The rainfall was up to 8.8 cm (3.5 inches), causing the Ruidoso River to rise to historic levels. The flood has now retreated.

Local officials confirmed Tuesday night that a man and two children were swept downstream.

Ruidoso village spokesman Kerry Gladden told CBS Search that rescuers are still in the wild, setting up a hotline for those looking for missing family members.

Ruidoso first responders have conducted at least 50 Swift water rescues in the area and urged residents to move to higher ground.

Ms. Gladen said in a statement that the three were injured at a local hospital.

Social media footage captured by local artist Kaitlyn Carpenter showed at least one house was swept away by floods and Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford could not confirm how many homes were lost.

Speaking to the local radio station, Mr. Crawford said: “It quickly became ugly.”

The NWS warns that the two “burn scars” around Ruidoso are high risks of flash penetration, as the burnt soil left behind by wildfires last year will “like sidewalks.”

Southern New Mexico was hit by wildfires in June 2024. Ruidoso was evacuated as two fires burned about 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of land on both sides of the village.

Two people were killed and hundreds of houses were destroyed.

Subsequent reports said that at least two years of flash flood risk would increase for at least two years due to the fire, and the likelihood of major flood events in the region was “significantly increased.”