New Mexico flooding leaves at least 3 dead, including 2 children as search and rescue efforts continue

RUIDOSO, N.M. - Three people died in a mountain village in Ruidoso, New Mexico after monsoon rains caused flash flooding so severe that a house was swept downstream, officials told the Associated Press.

Broken tree limbs, twisted metal, crumpled cars and muddy debris remained Wednesday as crews worked to clear roads and culverts in the wake of the flash flood that descended upon the New Mexico mountain community.

New Mexico flooding victims

What we know:

Water rushed from the surrounding mountainside, overwhelming the Rio Ruidoso and taking with it a man and two children from an RV park along the river. The bodies were found downstream during search and rescue efforts.

The children — a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy — had been camping with their parents when they were swept away. The father and mother were being treated for injuries sustained in the flooding at a hospital in Texas, according to officials at Fort Bliss, where the father is stationed.

New Mexico father recounts historic flash flood

A father in Ruidoso, New Mexico described the moment the floodwaters overtook an RV park in the small mountain community. At least three people were killed by flash floods, including a four-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy. Jason Fulcher said his wife was praying together last night, worried about their own children, "because they thought they were going to drown."

Mayor Lynn Crawford said hearts are broken over the lives lost and stomachs are in knots as residents begin to take stock of the damage.

What we don't know:

The AP noted that three people were earlier reported missing, but it’s unclear early Wednesday whether those were the same three who died.

RELATED: Texas floods: Death toll rises to 110; 161 remain missing in Kerr County

A road in Ruidoso, New Mexico is cut off during severe flash flooding. (Credit: Marissa Henson via Storyful)

Emergency crews completed dozens of swift water rescues before the water receded Tuesday. Two National Guard teams and several local crews already were in the area when the flooding began, said Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Several roads remained closed Wednesday and the mayor said it would take time to restore utilities in some neighborhoods. The floodwaters fractured village water lines, infiltrated the sewer system and significantly damaged as many as 50 homes, with one home carried away entirely.

Deadly New Mexico flooding update

New Mexico officials provided an update on deadly flooding. Extreme flooding in southern village of Ruidoso left 3 people dead, including 2 young children.

Setting records

Tuesday's rainfall was more than could be absorbed by the hillsides and canyons within the burn scar.

Officials urged residents to seek higher ground as the Rio Ruidoso rose to more than 20 feet (6 meters), according to preliminary data recorded by a U.S. Geological Survey gauge. That was nearly 5 feet (1.52 meters) more than the previous high the year before.

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings throughout Tuesday, with an upgraded emergency notification coming at 2:47 p.m. Most of the precipitation fell sometime between about 2:30 and 4 p.m.

"We received three and a half inches of rain on the South Fork burn scar in about a 90-minute period. That water came directly into our community and impacted the community head on," Mayor Crawford said during a news conference.

"So they were probably already getting some runoff from upstream before it even actually started raining on top of the wildfire burn scar," said Todd Shoemake, a meteorologist for the weather service in Albuquerque. "It really was just kind of a terrible coincidence of events that led to that."

The amount of rainfall wasn’t necessarily historical, Shoemake said, but he likened it to a 100-year storm, or having a 1% chance of happening in any given year.

Ruidoso mayor releases statement

What they're saying:

Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford released a statement on the deadly flooding writing, "Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy. The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion for these grieving families during this unimaginably difficult time. We are united in our sorrow and our commitment to supporting one another as we face this devastating loss together."