Video: House carried away by devastating flash floods in New Mexico, gets destroyed in seconds

At least three people were killed and homes were swept after heavy rain in New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon caused catastrophic flash flooding, forcing water rescues and closing roads. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the area around the village of Ruidoso, which was scarred by wildfires last year. There were no immediate reports of deaths, Kerry Gladden, a spokeswoman for the village of Ruidoso, said on late Tuesday afternoon.

Visuals from the area posted on social media show an entire house being swept away due to the intensity of the water. A house was swept away by flash floods in New Mexico following heavy monsoon rains, a viral video shows.



Video shows a home being swept down a fast-moving flood wave, where river waters have risen 15 feet (4.5m), according to the NWS.

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Flash floods hit New Mexico

While rescuers in the United States' Texas were searching for survivors following the catastrophic floods last week that killed more than 80 people, a New Mexico mountain town experienced dangerous flooding on Tuesday after heavy rain pounded the region. The floodwaters trapped numerous individuals in their homes and vehicles, particularly in the Ruidoso area.

Emergency crews conducted at least 85 swift water rescues to assist those affected by the flooding. No immediate injuries or fatalities were reported, though the full extent of the destruction will only be known once the water recedes.

A state of emergency has been declared in New Mexico after heavy flooding swept across the state, forcing evacuations, closing roads, and threatening homes and businesses. The surge in Ruidoso follows the deadly flooding in Texas, where authorities recently reported more than 160 people missing in the aftermath of catastrophic storms.

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The flooding in New Mexico highlights mounting concerns about increasingly intense weather systems pounding communities less equipped to deal with rapid water surges. Tuesday's monsoon flood was one of the worst he had seen, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said, describing the devastation.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency declaration request Tuesday night, seeking federal aid to help Ruidoso recover. "Ruidoso endured devastating wildfires and flooding last summer, and now catastrophic flooding is hitting this resilient community again. This crisis demands immediate action," she said in a statement.

"Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy," Mayor Crawford said in a statement.

Speaking on local radio Tuesday night, Crawford said there were reports of mudslides and gas leaks at homes that had been washed away or severely damaged. He described the situation as "catastrophic" for his small mountain community, adding that multiple bridges had been underwater and there had been more than two dozen swift-water rescues. The NWS has advised residents to monitor emergency alerts and local updates.