RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – “The village as a whole needs to have a minute to catch our breath.”
One natural disaster after another, the village of Ruidoso is working to get back to normal. After the devastating South Fork and Salt Fires, flashing flooding has caused a new set of problems. “We’ve never seen anything like that before in this community. And just the water, the swiftness of it, the amount of it was just staggering,” said Kerry Gladden, the village spokesperson.
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Over the weekend, the National Weather Service announced parts of the South Fork and Salt burn scars saw up to six inches of rain leading to intense flooding.
“The most damage was definitely down at what we call the Y, which is where Sudderth intersects Highway 70. And, you know, there was enough water rushing through there that there were two semis that were swept away down there,” said Gladden.
Normally at this time, the village would be preparing for its All-American tailgate and drone show. This year, they say, it had to be canceled. “With the events of this weekend with the floods, we just realized that it is more important now that our resources in the village are focused on recovery,” said Gladden.
As for those who may want to visit this holiday weekend. “We’re not telling people to stay away forever. We’re just saying, discover Ruidoso later,” said Gladden.
As the village continues to clean up with the aid of FEMA, they also want to thank emergency personnel and village employees who have been working nonstop since the fires and floods began. “I think that’s a testament of, of how they feel about this community and how, you know, a lot of us, a lot of us feel the same way and, and are willing to just get in there and do whatever it takes to, to help our, our village and our community and its residents,” said Gladden.
The village says once they can properly welcome guests and get businesses up and running again, they will hold a celebration for a different holiday.
