01:00A sudden thunderstorm struck the Ruidoso region of New Mexico with intense rainfall, unleashing
01:19over three inches of water on fragile terrain still scarred from past wildfires.
01:26The burned soil, hardened and hydrophobic, failed to absorb runoff, turning hillsides into torrents.
01:56As water rushed off the slopes of South Fork and blew two burned scars, it carried with
02:16it heavy debris and mud, turning small creeks into dangerous channels of destruction.
02:23The Rio Ridozo surged above 20 feet, well beyond its flood stage.
02:28Burst ofouth
02:32�� mascot
02:34خلال
02:35ног塞
02:38Hello
02:39Hello
02:40Hello
02:42Hello
02:45Hello
02:45Hello
02:46Hello
02:46Hello
02:47Hello
02:48Hi
02:50Hello
02:51Hello
02:51Hey
02:52Hey
02:53Hey
02:53Hey
02:53Hey
02:53Hey
02:54Hey
02:54Hey
02:54Happen
02:58Officials with the National Weather Service quickly declared a flash flood emergency,
03:07urging residents in multiple parts of Lincoln County to seek higher ground immediately.
03:14Dangerous currents were reported sweeping across neighborhoods and roadways.
03:28In some areas, like Gavilan Trailer Park and Alto,
03:55rescue teams were forced to deploy swiftly as vehicles were swept away and homes began to shift from their foundations.
04:04The urgency on the ground escalated with each passing minute.
04:25The river, once calm and scenic, transformed into a violent stream that swept downstream everything in its path.
04:40Trailers, sheds and parts of roads were no match for its power.
04:45Mud, logs and rock filled streets that were barely visible beneath the flow.
04:50I'm watching! I got you! I got you! I got you! I got you! I got you! I got you! I'm killed!
04:57I got me! I got you! I got you! I got you! I'm killed!
05:06Up to you, up to you, up to you, up to you.
05:36Up to you, up to you, up to you, up to you.
06:06Up to you, up to you, up to you.
06:36Up to you, up to you, up to you, up to you.
07:06Up to you, up to you, up to you, up to you.
07:36Up to you, up to you, up to you.
08:06Up to you, up to you, up to you, up to you.
08:18Up to you, up to you, up to you, up to you.
08:30Up to you, up to you, up to you.
08:32Up to you, up to you, up to you.
09:02Up to you, up to you, up to you.
09:14Up to you, up to you, up to you.
09:27Multiple emergency rescues were performed across the county, some involving helicopters, as crews worked to reach trapped residents.
09:35In Hollywood, reports indicated a father and two children had been carried away by rising waters.
10:05The river's sudden rise from just over one foot to more than 20 in under an hour left little time to react.
10:29Gauges placed by the USGS confirmed the spike, marking it as a possible all-time record for the Rio Ruidoso.
10:41This is where the fires.
10:47Here comes something big.
10:58Here comes something big.
11:11Social media warnings from the National Weather Service emphasize the life-threatening nature of the event, repeating the call to avoid all floodwaters and to not attempt to cross moving streams.
11:23This water will carry you away, one bullet in red.
11:27Wow.
11:33I know.
11:34Me too.
11:37Going down.
11:41Wow. I know. Me too. Going down.
12:11That house is king, bro.
12:28Oh, look at that house, dude.
12:41Kerry Gladden, a spokesperson for the village of Ruidoso, said damage assessments were still
12:51ongoing but confirmed that several people were hospitalized with flood-related injuries.
12:57The full scope of destruction remained unclear into the evening.
13:45The burn scars from the South Fork and salt fires in 2024 left the terrain especially
14:12vulnerable, with rainwater bouncing off instead of sinking in.
14:17Sediment from those fires clogged waterways, reducing their ability to manage runoff.
14:22So, let's get started.
14:27So, let's get started.
14:34So, let's get started.
14:38So, let's get started.
14:45So, let's get started.
14:49So, let's get started.
14:56So, let's get started.
15:00Despite efforts to rebuild from past disasters, local officials reported that many mitigation
15:27projects were still unfunded were still unfunded due to red tape and delays.
15:32Roughly $16.8 million had been spent but key preventative work was left incomplete.
15:38So, let's get started.
15:45So, let's get started.
15:49So, let's get started.
15:53So, let's get started.
16:20So, let's get started.
16:27So, let's get started.
16:34So, let's get started.
16:45So, let's get started.
16:51So, let's get started.
16:56Senator Martin Heinrich issued a call for residents to evacuate quickly,
17:17warning of the storm's severity and unpredictable paths.
17:21Footage online showed houses being lifted and swept downstream by muddy torrents.
17:28Is it in the rain stands, do you think?
17:44Oh, man.
17:55Power outages impacted wide sections of Lincoln County.
18:18Power outages impacted wide sections of Lincoln County,
18:22with emergency generators being deployed in shelters and critical facilities.
18:27Many residents were forced to rely on flashlights and radio broadcasts for updates.
18:33To be continued...
18:54To be continued...
18:59Local governments stressed that flood awareness, sandbag stations,
19:20and updated evacuation protocols would be essential going forward.
19:24Residents were urged to prepare in advance and not wait for last-minute alerts.
