RUIDOSO – Days after the most destructive flood in Ruidoso’s history, New Mexico’s U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan were given a tour of the worst-affected areas, from the Upper Canyon to Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

The summer rainy season in New Mexico usually brings daily alerts about the potential for flooding around the arid state.

The children, ages four and seven, were swept downstream by a flash flood after the Rio Ruidoso river rose to a record-setting 20 feet.

Sandbags protect a building in Ruidoso, New Mexico after floods swept through town in July of 2024. This week's floods rose significantly higher. Photo: The Washington Post

At least three people have died as a result of severe flash flooding that swept through a south-central New Mexico resort town on Tuesday afternoon. The devastating floods left people trapped in homes and prompted dozens of water rescues in Ruidoso,

Where is Ruidoso? The village of Ruidoso is located in the southern part of New Mexico and is a noted vacation spot boasting camping and recreation amid its expansive forest landscape.

There will be no more horse races at Ruidoso Downs for 2025, after flood waters ravaged the race track for the second year in a row.