Ruidoso Residents Flash Flood Warning Saturday Until 6 pm

Photo by2nd Life Media

A flash flood emergency has been issued in Ruidoso by the National Weather Service, as heavy rain is falling in the area on Saturday.

Residents and visitors in Upper Canyon, Cedar Creek, Brady Creek or Rio Ruidoso areas are asked to seek higher ground immediately.

At 302 PM MDT, and extended until 6 pm emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the South Fork Burn Scar. Residents are encouragedto stay away from US Highway 70 and Ruidoso Downs. Brady Canyon is flooded with downed power lines. Get to higher ground if you are
located in Cherokee Mobile Village, Safe Haven RV Park and Ruidoso
Downs.

Rapid rises on Rio Ruidoso are expected. Fast water flowing
down Highway 70 near the Travel Center. Between 0.5 and 1.25 inches
of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1 inch in
1 hour.

Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in
the warned area if new storms develop. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will impact the Eagle Creek,
Cedar Creek, and Rio Ruidoso drainages.

Impacts will include but are not limited to all nearby reservoirs, bridges, culverts and roadways such as Highways 48 and 70, Main Road, Paradise Canyon Road and
Gavilan Canyon Road. Impacts to areas along the Rio Ruidoso,
including RV parks and mobile homes, may extend at least to Picacho,
New Mexico.

The debris flow can can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and
other loose materials.

FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Ruidoso and Brady Canyon.

This is a DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding in and around the South Fork Burn Scar.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER
GROUND NOW! IMMEDIATE EVACUATION for areas in and around
the South Fork Burn Scar.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Alto and Hollywood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams and ditches
in the South Fork Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in
places. If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety.

Stay tuned to the National Weather Service for further updates which was just updated until 6 pm

https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=NMZ226&warncounty=N…