Flooding in Ruidoso : In a heartbreaking turn of events, the quiet mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico was hit by devastating flash floods on July 8, 2025. Fueled by heavy monsoon rains falling over wildfire-scarred hills, the Rio Ruidoso river surged to historic levels — leaving destruction, heartbreak, and chaos in its wake.
Flooding in Ruidoso reached record levels
The floodwaters rose rapidly, cresting at over 20 feet — well above the river’s normal flood stage. For comparison, that’s about the height of a two-story building — and way more than what local infrastructure is built to handle.
Within minutes, roads became rivers. Bridges collapsed. Homes were swept away.
Lives Lost — Two Children Among the Victims
Tragically, three lives were lost in this disaster, including:
A man in his 40s–50s (identity not publicly released) Sebastian (7) and Charlotte (4) Trotter, siblings and children of a U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Bliss
They were swept downstream before rescuers could reach them. This part of the news has shaken the entire community — and the nation.
Rescue Efforts and Community Response
Despite the devastation, first responders acted quickly:
85+ swift-water rescues were carried out Helicopters and search dogs were brought in Volunteers showed up in droves to help. The New Mexico National Guard, local fire departments, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe were among the first to respond.
According to officials
35 to 50 homes are confirmed destroyed
Up to 200 more may be severely damaged
Roads, bridges, power lines, and water systems are all impacted
Cleanup is underway, but it could take weeks or even months to fully recover.
Why This Flood Was So Severe
One big reason the flood hit so hard? The burn scars from last year’s South Fork and Salt wildfires.
Wildfire-damaged soil becomes hydrophobic — meaning it can’t absorb water. So instead of soaking in, the rain just races downhill, carrying debris, mud, and entire trees with it.
Add in 3 inches of rain in less than two hours, and it’s a perfect storm.
Federal Aid and What’s Next
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has already visited the affected areas and confirmed:
$15 million in federal emergency aid has been approved More funding is expected as damage assessments continue
Teams from FEMA, Red Cross, and Direct Relief are on the ground now.
Is the Flooding Over?
Not quite. The National Weather Service has warned that more storms could hit the area this weekend. Ruidoso, and much of eastern New Mexico, is still under a flash flood watch.
Residents are urged to stay alert, listen to local warnings, and prepare for possible evacuations.
How You Can Help
If you want to support the people of Ruidoso, here are a few options:
Donate to the New Mexico Disaster Relief Fund
Support Direct Relief for medical and hygiene supplies
Share verified GoFundMe pages from affected families
Every little bit helps. Source
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