The mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, still recovering from last year’s wildfires, was hit by catastrophic flash floods on Tuesday, June 8. Heavy rains triggered mudslides, gas leaks, and rising rivers, sweeping away homes and leaving destruction in their wake. Mayor Lynn Crawford confirmed more than 30 swift-water rescues and multiple fatalities.

Three people were officially reported dead, including a man in his 40s and two young children. Grieving families, like Tiffanie Wyatt’s and Darnell Benally’s, confirmed further losses through social media. Officials urged the public to remain in safe areas and to report missing persons. Emergency crews continue their search while shelters remain open.

The flooding was worsened by burn scars left from the 2024 South Fork Fire, which destroyed over 17,000 acres. The scorched, hydrophobic soil couldn’t absorb water, turning normal rainfall into disaster. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has requested federal aid, calling the situation “catastrophic.”

Meanwhile, across Texas, record floods have claimed at least 51 lives—43 of them in Kerr County alone. The tragedy centered around Camp Mystic, where floodwaters swept through during a summer camp session. Many of the victims were children, and dozens remain missing. Search and rescue teams continue working through dangerous terrain as the state mourns its dead and prays for the missing.