On July 8, 2025, the quiet mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico—nestled in the Sierra Blanca range—was hit by flash floods described as “unprecedented” by local officials. This devastating event followed just days after catastrophic flooding in Texas on July 4, 2025.
Ruidoso sits about 180 miles south of Albuquerque and is home to roughly 7,600 residents. In 2024, the town endured the South Fork and Salt wildfires, which scorched more than 17,000 acres of nearby forests.
According to NBC News, those wildfires left burn scars that turned the soil hydrophobic—unable to absorb water—making the community especially vulnerable when heavy rains arrived this summer. While Ruidoso saw flooding last year, nothing compared to the sheer force of this week’s deluge.
The annual monsoon season in New Mexico runs from late June through early September, often bringing sudden, heavy downpours and flash floods. But Mayor Lynn Crawford says even seasoned locals were stunned by the speed and depth of this flood.
Data from the National Weather Service shows that the Rio Ruidoso reached a record 15.86 feet last year. On July 8, 2025, the river crested at a new high of 20.24 feet—an increase that overwhelmed banks, bridges, and homes. Before the storm, the river was so narrow “you could have jumped across it,” Mayor Crawford recalled.
Mayor Crawford confirmed that the fast-moving waters submerged several bridges and forced evacuation of neighborhoods. Gas leaks were reported where floodwaters tore through homes, compounding the danger for first responders.
Ruidoso resident Kaitlyn Carpenter captured a harrowing video of her neighbor’s house being swept away. “It was terrifying, honestly,” she told NBC News. “I was not expecting that. I was really shaken up.”
Tragically, the village confirmed later on July 8 that three people lost their lives when they were carried downstream by the floodwaters. A statement on the Village of Ruidoso’s official website read:
“The Village of Ruidoso confirms that three people have tragically lost their lives as a result of the historic flash flooding that swept through the community on July 8, 2025. The victims were swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck the area.”
The deceased include a 40–50-year-old man, a four-year-old girl, and a seven-year-old boy. The two children have since been identified as Charlotte and Sebastian Trotter. Their aunt, Tiffanie Wyatt, told ABC News that their father is a soldier stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas.
“We want everyone to know that the kids were full of life and always laughing,” Wyatt said. “Sebastian was an avid Pokémon card collector and a huge soccer fanatic who dreamed of going pro. Charlotte loved being the center of attention—singing, dancing, telling jokes, and even giving play makeovers.”
Wyatt added: “The kids knew nothing but love, and we believe they felt it to the very end.” Both parents were seriously injured and rushed to a Texas hospital for treatment.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” Mayor Crawford said. “The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time. We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to supporting one another as we face this devastating loss together.”
Search and rescue teams continue to comb the flood zone. Anyone in need of temporary shelter can go to the Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive. Counseling services are available through the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-662-7474. For the latest updates and relief information, please visit the village’s official Facebook page.