The nation — and much of the world — remains in mourning after catastrophic flash floods swept through central Texas on Friday, killing at least 107 people. Families continue searching through the wreckage, desperate for news of missing loved ones, while rescue crews work tirelessly around the clock.
But before America could even begin to heal, another disaster struck.
New Mexico Under Water
On Tuesday afternoon, the small village of Ruidoso — a quiet mountain town nestled in the Sierra Blanca range — was hit by a sudden and devastating wall of water. Torrential monsoon rains fell on wildfire-scorched hillsides, triggering a flash flood of historic proportions.
With the ground still scarred and hardened from last summer’s massive wildfires, the rain had nowhere to go. It cascaded down the slopes, transforming the Rio Ruidoso into a violent torrent that surged 20 feet high — smashing past its previous record by five feet.
Three Lives Lost
Among the dead: a 4-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, and a man believed to be in his 40s or 50s. All three were swept downstream in the ferocious floodwaters.
“The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time,” said Mayor Lynn Crawford in a somber statement. “We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to support one another as we face this devastating loss together.”
A Town Overwhelmed
The floodwaters struck with terrifying speed. Emergency responders conducted at least 60 swift-water rescues, pulling residents from rooftops, riverbanks, and overturned vehicles. Several people were hospitalized, and local reports indicate that horses and other animals perished in the rising water.
Social media filled with harrowing images: homes floating downriver, entire neighborhoods buried in mudslides, and a house crashing into trees like a toy in the current. One chilling clip showed a man wading through waist-deep water, searching for his missing children.
Grief With Names
As daylight faded, heartbreak became personal.
Tiffanie Wyatt, who had been searching for her niece and nephew, confirmed the tragic news: both children had died. Community member Darnell Benally later shared that 5-year-old Charlotte and 7-year-old Sebastian Trotter were also among the victims — last seen at the Midtown RV Park before the flood tore through.
“This One Hit Us Harder”
“This one hit us harder than we were expecting,” Mayor Crawford admitted. “We’ve been through a lot — fires, floods, evacuations — but nothing like this.”
And the danger isn’t over.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency as more storms loom on the horizon. New Mexico’s monsoon season, known for its unpredictable and often violent rainfall, will continue through early September.
State Steps In
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded swiftly, signing an emergency declaration request Tuesday evening.
“Ruidoso endured devastating wildfires and flooding last summer, and now catastrophic flooding is hitting this resilient community again,” she said. “This crisis demands immediate action.”
Shelters, Support, and Survival
Local officials are urging residents to stay in place if they are safe and dry, and asking anyone with missing loved ones to contact the emergency operations center. Shelters have been set up for displaced families, and volunteers are working around the clock to provide food, warmth, and comfort.
“This town has been through hell,” said one volunteer at a local shelter. “And somehow, we just keep getting hit.”
From the scorched hills of Ruidoso to the devastated towns of central Texas, these are not just weather events — they are human tragedies. Families have been torn apart. Homes have vanished. And communities now face the long road to recovery.
In this moment of heartbreak, the people of New Mexico and Texas need more than thoughts and prayers. They need action, support, and the unshakable strength of a nation that refuses to look away.