Author: Eugene Heathman | Ruidoso News

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, the Ruidoso Emergency Management issued an evacuation order for the Upper Canyon area due to unstable soil and life-threatening flooding.

Heavy rains caused flash flooding Saturday afternoon in Ruidoso as a result of the South Fork Fire Burn Scar. The Upper Canyon area of ​​Ruidoso was evacuated, but some people were stranded in homes surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.

Flash flooding in the Upper Canyon produced large amounts of mud and debris that blocked bridges over the Rio Ruidoso River, causing the Brady Canyon Bridge at the intersection of Sudderth and Mechem roads to overflow. Overcrowding was also observed at the Eagle Creek, Two Rivers Park and Gavilan Canyon bridges.

At least two rescue teams were dispatched to rescue residents from homes surrounded by rising, rushing floodwaters. Emergency personnel responded quickly, blocking bridges covered with flood water while evacuating the area, which proved difficult due to the number of people who returned to affected areas after the South Fork and Salt fires.