National Guard Rescues 100 from Flash Flooding in Ruidoso

RUIDOSO, N.M. — The New Mexico Army National Guard rescued 100 people stranded by flash flooding in Ruidoso over the weekend, officials said.

On Saturday, soldiers from the 920th Engineer Company, who were moving heavy machinery out of a creek, rescued four elderly residents who signaled for help. The soldiers crossed rising waters to evacuate the residents to higher ground. Minutes later, the water rose six feet, flooding the evacuated home.

As flash flooding continued on Sunday, the National Guard rescued at least 45 more people from flooded areas in Ruidoso. A total of 26 swift water rescues were conducted on Saturday, and 51 on Sunday, the Village of Ruidoso’s Facebook page reported. No fatalities were recorded.

Flash flooding in the Ruidoso area prompted immediate evacuations, which will continue to be a threat on Monday, July 1, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division. Residents in the Upper Canyon area and near the Rio Ruidoso were among those forced to evacuate.

The El Paso Fire Water Rescue Team was deployed to Ruidoso on Sunday to assist with the flood response.

The recent heavy rainfall has also helped to suppress the remaining heat sources from the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire. The South Fork Fire is estimated at 17,569 acres with 84 percent containment, and the Salt Fire at 7,939 acres with the same level of containment, the Forestry Division reported Monday.

Crews working on the fires will focus on flood mitigation on Monday, the Forestry Division said.

For more information on the flooding, visit the Village of Ruidoso’s official page.