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Flash Floods Trigger Evacuations In Ruidoso, Closing Major Roads

Severe flash flooding in Ruidoso has forced evacuations in Upper Canyon and Midtown, with major roads closed and rescue operations ongoing. The community has faced a series of natural disasters, including wildfires and now, back-to-back flooding.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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Ruidoso is experiencing severe flash flooding, leading to evacuations and road closures.

Severe flash flooding in Ruidoso has forced the evacuation of at least two areas and led to the closure of several roads, including U.S. 70 near Sudderth. The situation worsened on Sunday night, with village leaders reporting more severe conditions than those on Saturday.

Video footage from Cree Meadows Creek on Saturday showed black sludge rapidly eroding the ground, highlighting the intense nature of the flooding. Upper Canyon and Midtown have been placed under evacuation orders, with Upper Canyon residents ordered to evacuate since Saturday.

Why This Matters: “Sudderth, one of the main arteries into town, is closed. Highway 70 is essentially a river at the moment, sweeping semi-trucks off the road,” said Kerry Gladden, a public information officer.

The Village of Ruidoso has been struggling with natural disasters for weeks, including wildfires and now flash flooding. “Floods come after fires, and we know that, but today is pretty significant,” Gladden added.

As of Sunday night, rescue teams have saved eight people, following 26 rescues on Saturday. Gladden noted that many residents waited too long to move to higher ground, resulting in them being trapped in their homes or other locations.

The flooding also impacted the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, which had to close again after reopening on Friday due to the flooding. The village is working with federal, state, and tribal agencies to fully contain the South Fork and Salt fires.

While the rain helps with fire suppression, it also poses dangers to firefighting efforts. “When it rains like this, we have to pull them off the line because it is dangerous for them. They’re doing a lot of mop-up right now, and the water helps in one respect, but the debris flowing creates its own path and causes a lot of destruction,” said Gladden.

Several roads remain closed due to flooding, and an evacuation shelter has been established at the White Mountain Relief Center on 687 Hull Road, where food is available for evacuees.

Key Takeaways:

  • Severe flash flooding forces evacuations in Upper Canyon and Midtown.
  • Major roads, including U.S. 70, closed due to flooding conditions.
  • Rescue teams have saved 34 people over the weekend.
  • Wildfires and flooding present ongoing challenges for Ruidoso residents.
  • Evacuation shelter set up at White Mountain Relief Center for affected residents.

Usa Floods