Yesterday evening, the quiet mountain village of Ruidoso was overwhelmed by catastrophic flash floods after intense monsoon rains swept over burn scars left by last summer's wildfires. Within barely an hour, up to five inches of rain fell, turning the normally calm Rio Ruidoso into a raging wall of water.

Tragically, the flood claimed the lives of three people—a man in his forties or fifties, a four-year-old girl, and a seven-year-old boy—who were swept away by the sudden surge. The river reached a historic high of over 20 feet, shattering previous records.

Emergency crews carried out more than 85 daring rescues as water roared through streets, lifting cars, swallowing roads, and even ripping entire homes from their foundations. Dramatic footage showed at least one house floating downstream, a stark symbol of the flood's brute force.

In response, New Mexico's governor swiftly declared a state of emergency, freeing up funds for immediate help and requesting federal assistance to support recovery efforts. Shelters have opened their doors to dozens of displaced residents, while local authorities continue searching for anyone unaccounted for.

Experts say the devastation was made far worse by the wildfire scars, which stripped the land of vegetation that might have slowed the runoff. Combined with the broader trend of extreme weather fueled by a warming climate, these conditions turned a heavy rainstorm into a deadly flood in minutes.

Even as rescue teams work tirelessly to clear debris and restore basic services, more storms are forecast for the coming days—keeping the region on edge and reminding everyone just how vulnerable mountain communities can be when nature turns violent.

The people of Ruidoso now face the painful task of rebuilding their homes and lives, all while staying vigilant against the next round of summer storms.