New Mexico Village Of Ruidoso Ravaged By Flash Flooding
Ruidoso, a remote village in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of New Mexico, was struck by “unprecedented” flash flooding on Tuesday (July 8). The news comes after the state of Texas was hit with catastrophic flooding on July 4.
Ruidoso is approximately 180 miles south of Albuquerque and home to 7,600 people. Last year (2024), the town was affected by the South Fork and Salt wildfires, which burned over 17,000 acres.
As NBC News details, the fires left behind burn scars and made the soil hydrophobic, meaning it does not absorb water. The town also experienced flooding last year, but nothing like this.
Ruidoso is susceptible to the monsoon season, which starts in late June and ends in early September. This makes the village subject to flash flooding during heavy rainfall, but this recent flood was the worst that the village’s mayor, Lynn Crawford, has ever seen.
NBC News cites the National Weather Service, which states that the Rio Ruidoso crested at 15.86 feet last year, setting a record. But this year’s storm caused the river to crest at a new record height of 20.24 feet.
Before the rain, Mayor Crawford said the river was so small “you could have jumped across it.”
Village Of Ruidoso, New Mexico, Confirms 3 People Died In The Flash Flood
Crawford said the flash flooding in the New Mexico village has left multiple bridges underwater. There were also reports of gas leaks at homes destroyed by the fast-moving floodwaters
Ruidoso resident Kaitlyn Carpenter uploaded a video on Facebook of a house being washed away by the rushing water. Multiple news reports shared the video, including the one from NBC below.
“It was terrifying, honestly,” Carpenter told the outlet. “I was not expecting that. I was really shaken up.”
Sadly, it was confirmed later on Tuesday that three people lost their lives to the flood. A statement released on the village of Ruidoso’s website reads:
“The Village of Ruidoso confirms that three people have tragically lost their lives as a result of the historic flash flooding that swept through the community on July 8, 2025. The victims were swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck the area.”
The three individuals killed in the flood were a 40-50 year-old male, a four-year-old female, and a seven-year-old male.
The two children have since been identified as Charlotte and Sebastian Trotter. Their aunt, Tiffanie Wyatt, told ABC News their father is a soldier stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas.
“We want everyone to know that the kids were full of life and always laughing,” Wyatt said. “Sebastian was an avid Pokémon card collector, loved to play sports, but was a huge soccer fanatic. He wanted to be a professional soccer player when he got older. Charlotte loved to be the center of attention. She loved to sing, dance, and make jokes. She also loved to give people makeovers with her play makeup.”
Wyatt added, “The kids knew nothing but love and we believe they felt it to the very end.”
Charlotte and Sebastian’s parents suffered serious injuries in the flood and were taken to a hospital in Texas for treatment.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” said Mayor Crawford. “The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time. We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to supporting one another as we face this devastating loss together.”
Search and rescue operations remain underway in Ruidoso.
Those needing shelter can visit the Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive. Counseling services for those in need are available through the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at the following phone number: 1-855-662-7474.
