Ruidoso, a village in south-central New Mexico, grapples with its 13th flash flood emergency this year.
According to Fox Weather, flash flooding in a New Mexico village led to rescues and evacuations, with more rain expected. This was the village's 13th Flash Flood Emergency caused by heavy rain runoff over burn scars from recent wildfires.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque sounded the alarm late Friday night, anticipating significant rains. The forecasted downpour challenged the village's infrastructure, adding to the ongoing crisis.
Over the weekend, this situation escalated, resulting in three additional flash flood emergencies recorded for Ruidoso, accumulating 19 alarms for the region since June 19.
As relentless rains continued, a Flood Watch remained in effect through Sunday night. Authorities noted flooded streets and roadway damage, with an incident of a significant crash, fortunately not resulting in injuries. Lincoln County Emergency Management has had to respond swiftly with evacuation orders and crucial water rescues to safeguard residents.
About 100 members of the National Guard have been deployed to assist Ruidoso. Their efforts include sandbagging, road repairs, and other flood mitigation measures.
The repeated disasters in the region, encompassing both monsoonal rains and wildfires, have devastated communities. Hundreds of structures have been affected, leading to at least two fatalities. In response, President Joe Biden officially declared the area a major disaster zone on June 20, enabling federal assistance, surpassing $6 million to aid Ruidoso’s recovery efforts.
Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood commented on the challenges facing the community:
The bottom line is, right now, a large part of Lincoln County in New Mexico is redesigning itself. We’re seeing what are waterways run that we’ve never seen before and create problems that we have not seen before as a result of the recent fires and the flooding. So, head on a swivel. Be very, very careful. Be very cautious.
Village officials, reflecting the urgency of ongoing support for the affected families, emphasized the impact of the fires and subsequent flooding in a Facebook post. They highlighted the critical role of continuous community support facilitated by local foundations in addressing the immediate needs of displaced families.
Even as national figures like actor Matthew McConaughey have brought additional attention to Ruidoso's plight, urging support through various platforms, local authorities and residents bear the brunt of these repeated natural calamities.
National Guard units express their empathy and concern for the residents of Ruidong, as shared on their Facebook page: "You can't help but feel for these folks. Ruidoso can't seem to catch a break."
Ruidoso finds itself in a relentless cycle of recovery and readiness, facing each new rainfall with a mixture of resilience and anxiety. Village officials implore the broader national community to remain attentive to their needs, emphasizing that recovery is a prolonged effort through a Facebook post.
In conclusion, as Ruidoso navigates the repercussions of repeated natural disasters, the collective effort of local and federal authorities, community foundations, and national support continues to play a vital role. The focus remains on diligent preparedness, resilient response, and fostering a robust framework for recovery to mitigate future calamities, embedding a sense of cautious optimism for the future amid ongoing challenges.
