New Mexico Flash Flooding: House Seen Swept Away in Roaring Waters

Flash flooding in the mountainous region of southern New Mexico on Tuesday swept away a house in the violent waters, as videos circulated widely online capturing the destruction.

Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) via email for comment late Tuesday night.

Why It Matters

This flash flood emergency is part of a broader pattern of devastating weather in the American Southwest this summer. The surge in the village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, follows the deadly flooding in Texas, where authorities recently reported more than 160 people missing in the aftermath of catastrophic storms.

The flooding in New Mexico highlights mounting concerns about increasingly intense weather systems pounding communities less equipped to deal with rapid water surges.

What To Know

The NWS issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, as officials reported rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels threatening homes and businesses.

NWS Public Affairs Specialist Erica Grow Cei told Newsweek via email that “The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque issued a Flood Watch for Flash Flooding for the South Central Mountains including Ruidoso at 2:46 AM MDT, in effect for the hours of Noon to 8pm MDT.”

“A Flash Flood Warning was issued for the South Fork burn scar in Lincoln County, NM at 2:12 PM MDT today,” Grow Cei said. “This warning included the ‘considerable’ flooding tag, which automatically triggers a Wireless Emergency Alert to be issued for the warned area.”

“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO! A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle! #nmwx,” NWS Albuquerque said on X, formerly Twitter, Tuesday evening.

Meteorologists chronicled the river rising on social media, alerting residents that it was hard to even see where the riverbed was, as the river hit a “major flood stage” at over 15 feet.

Videos circulated social media showing a house getting swept up in the surge in Ruidoso as rushing waters tore through previously burn-scarred terrain from wildfires.

According to the Associated Press (AP), citing Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, over 80 swift water rescues were executed near Ruidoso. The rescues included people trapped in their cars and homes.

The AP reports that three shelters are open in the area following the devastating flooding. It is immediately unclear to Newsweek if there are any confirmed fatalities.

The scene in Ruidoso comes amid historic flooding in Texas, which left at least 161 people missing and spurred a debate on disaster preparedness in the region. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, deflected questions about state responsibility in a recent news conference, underscoring the contentious nature of flood response and recovery.

What People Are Saying

NWS Albuquerque posted to X on Tuesday: “The Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood reached a provisional crest of 20.24 feet this afternoon while significant flash flooding was occurring. If this is confirmed, it would be a record high crest (compared to last year’s crest of 15.86 feet on July 20th). #NMwx”

Republican Congressman Cory Mills of Florida: “I’m devastated to hear of another extreme flood. Join me in praying for the community of Ruidoso, the first responders, and everyone involved.”

What Happens Next

The NWS has advised residents to monitor emergency alerts and local updates.

Update 7/9/25, 12:05 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Grow Cei.