# I Was There to Document the Aftermath of Deadly Flooding. Then, It Started Raining.

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/i-was-there-to-document-the-aftermath-of-deadly-flooding-then-it-started-raining/
- Published: 2026-11-03T10:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:07:24+00:00
- Original publisher: ProPublica (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.propublica.org/article/ruidoso-new-mexico-floods-fire
- Topics: Americas, Politics, World

## Key points

- Flooding after wildfires killed three people in Ruidoso.
- Experts had warned of increased flash flood risks.
- First responders said they lacked staff and equipment.

## Summary

After wildfires scorched the landscape around Ruidoso, New Mexico, heavy monsoon rain triggered floods that damaged the town and led to emergency rescues. A year later, a similar flood killed three people, including two children, prompting questions about whether officials had adequately prepared and equipped responders.

ProPublica reporting found that experts warned of heightened flood risks after the 2024 fires and that a proposed relocation plan for some homes and businesses faltered. First responders said the rescue effort was undermanned and inadequately equipped, while village leaders have defended their response; the village did not answer detailed questions or publish a rescue report. As the photographer documented the aftermath, rain and flood warnings brought the danger close to home.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.