‘Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW’: Dramatic Ruidoso River Rise Sets Off Flash Floods In New Mexico

Just days after flash floods ravaged central Texas — leaving at least 100 people killed and more than 160 still missing — a similar warning went out along New Mexico’s Ruidoso River as it rose rapidly on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque posted a warning as the river began to rise, warning residents to avoid the area and not to make any effort to drive through the floodwaters.

“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO! A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!” the initial post read.

A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO! A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle! #nmwx

— NWS Albuquerque (@NWSAlbuquerque) July 8, 2025

Additional warnings came out a short time later, showing just how quickly the river was rising.

“The flood wave on the Rio Ruidoso has reached the Hollywood gage. Stay away from the river! This is a look at the change in the river depth in just 30 minutes, courtesy of the USGS!,” the post read. Side by side photos showed the change over 30 minutes.

Another 30 minutes later and it’s hard to tell where the riverbed is. The river is now in major flood stage at over 15 feet. Stay away from the river! Seek higher ground NOW! #nmwx pic.twitter.com/gd3ecndelG

— NWS Albuquerque (@NWSAlbuquerque) July 8, 2025

A follow-up post showed a photo taken after another 30 minutes, and the river bed was even higher: “Another 30 minutes later and it’s hard to tell where the riverbed is. The river is now in major flood stage at over 15 feet. Stay away from the river! Seek higher ground NOW!” the NWS warned.

The latest update showed data indicating that the river’s 20.24 foot provisional crest on Tuesday was a full five feet higher than last year’s 15.86 foot crest on July 20, 2024.

“The Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood reached a provisional crest of 20.24 feet this afternoon while significant flash flooding was occurring. If this is confirmed, it would be a record high crest (compared to last year’s crest of 15.86 feet on July 20th),” the NWS announced.

The Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood reached a provisional crest of 20.24 feet this afternoon while significant flash flooding was occurring . If this is confirmed, it would be a record high crest (compared to last year’s crest of 15.86 feet on July 20th). #NMwx pic.twitter.com/QHtTrXLf3H

— NWS Albuquerque (@NWSAlbuquerque) July 8, 2025

ANOTHER Catastrophic Flood event unfolding NOW this Tuesday evening in New Mexico. The Ruidoso River in NM rose by 20 feet+ in less than an hour shattering a record. Videos coming in now breaking of homes floating down the Ruidoso River. Several inches of rain has fallen on burn… pic.twitter.com/7yZufCdejH

— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) July 8, 2025