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New Mexico has declared a state of emergency as severe flooding sweeps across parts of the state, forcing evacuations, closing roads, and threatening homes and businesses.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels that threatened homes and businesses.
Speaking on local radio Tuesday night, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said there were reports of mudslides and gas leaks at homes that had been washed away or severely damaged. “They’re in the process of looking,” Crawford said, referring to three people reported missing. He described the situation as “catastrophic” for the small mountain community, adding that multiple bridges had been underwater and there had been more than two dozen swift-water rescues.
New Mexico Floods: Weather Radar
According to the Associated Press (AP), citing Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, more than 80 swift-water rescues were carried out near Ruidoso. The rescues included people who were trapped in their cars and homes as the floodwaters rose.
New Mexico Floods: Thunderstorms Live Tracker Map
The crisis in Ruidoso comes as historic flooding also hits Texas, where at least 161 people have been reported missing. The disaster has spurred fresh debate over preparedness and response in the region. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, deflected questions about state responsibility during a recent news conference, underscoring the political tensions surrounding flood recovery and prevention efforts.
New Mexico Floods: Rain Accumulation
This is a developing story and will be updated.