RUIDOSO, N.M. – At least two areas in Ruidoso were forced to evacuate because of the flash flooding. Several roads near the village are closed Sunday night, including U.S. 70 at Sudderth.

Upper Canyon and Midtown are under evacuation orders. Residents in Upper Canyon have been under that order since Saturday.

Village leaders told KOB 4 they were hit harder Sunday night than they did Saturday. Video from Cree Meadows Creek on Saturday shows black sludge quickly eroding the ground.

“Sudderth, which is one of the main arteries into town is closed. Highway 70 is basically a river at the moment, sweeping semi trucks off the road,” said Kerry Gladden, a public information officer. 

The Village of Ruidoso has been hit hard for weeks, in between wildfires and downpours. Now, the community faces back-to-back flash flooding.

“Floods come after fires, and we know that, but today is pretty significant,” said Gladden. 

A National Guard spokesperson confirmed crews helped around 100 people Sunday. They helped 51 people in swiftwater rescue situations. Crews helped the other 49 people in some way, such as to help them evacuate, but didn’t directly rescue them.

26 rescues occurred Saturday.

“A lot of what you see is people just waiting too long to get to higher ground. And by the time they open their front door, or, you know, try to do something about it they’re pinned in their homes or wherever they might be,” Gladden said. 

The Ruidoso Downs Racetrack was also impacted. After reopening Friday they had to close again because of flooding.

The village continues to work with federal, state and tribal agencies to fully contain the South Fork and Salt Fires.

While rain certainly helps with fire suppression, Gladden says the heavy rain keeps them from putting boots on the ground.

“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 so it’s not, you know, like active firefighting. And so the water helps them and helps in one respect. But the fact that the ground can absorb it, and this debris that’s on top just flows and creates its own path, you know, and that that’s what causes a lot of the destruction,” said Gladden. 

Many roads are closed due to flooding. An evacuation shelter has been set up at the White Mountain Relief Center on 687 Hull Road. There is food available there.

Sandbags are also available at Wingfield Park, Ruidoso Fire Station 2, Ruidoso Downs Senior Center and on Copper Ridge.

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is also offering debris removal services to fire and flood victims. Impacted residents are eligible. You can sign up in person at:

• Roswell Civic and Convention Center
• Horton Complex in Ruidoso
• Mescalero Apache School

You can also call 1-833-663-4736.

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