RUIDOSO, N.M. — Severe flooding hit the Ruidoso area Tuesday afternoon, leaving three people dead and buildings, including at least one home, swept away. The Village of Ruidoso identified the three people as a man in their 40s or 50s, a four-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy.

The village of Ruidoso is located in the southern part of New Mexico and is a noted vacation spot boasting camping and recreation amid its expansive forest landscape. World Population Review notes the village rose to a total of 7,600 in 2025. That was a decrease of the population by less than 1% in recent years.

Flash flooding hit a New Mexico town devastated by wildfires last year, washing away at least one home and causing gas leaks, city officials said Tuesday.

The flash flood emergency was triggered at 3 p.m. in Ruidoso on Tuesday, July 8. Swift water teams were out conducting rescues, officials said.

In a span of 90 minutes Tuesday, torrential rainfall triggered record flooding as village officials were in the middle of a scheduled meeting.

Jesus Segura had just begun his shift in the kitchen of the Kokopelli Country Club on Tuesday when a crowd entered the restaurant to take shelter from the

The Village of Ruidoso knows the catastrophes they could face when it rains in the massive burn scar areas. The village has been preparing for monsoon season with emergency

Officials say that upwards of 50 homes were damaged by Tuesday's flooding. Emergency crews are working to clear debris.

The Governor of New Mexico has signed an emergency declaration asking help from the federal government for help as Ruidoso deals with flooding.