The record-breaking flash flood that swept through a village in New Mexico on Tuesday claimed the lives of three people — two children and a man in his fifties.
According the officials, the three were “swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck” Village of Ruidoso.
“The biggest catastrophe of all are the lives that we lost,” said Mayor Lynn Crawford.
The children, who lost their lives after their entire house was wiped off the map, were identified as Sebastian Trotter, 7, and his sister Charlotte Trotter, 4. Their father, a US soldier based at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and their mother have both been injured in the floods and are currently treated in a hospital in Texas, according to the late children’s aunt Tiffanie Wyatt, People reported.
Speaking of her niece and nephew, Wyatt said they were always “full of life and always laughing,” and had different aspirations.
“Sebastian was an avid Pokémon card collector, loved to play sports, but was a huge soccer fanatic. He wanted to be a professional soccer player when he got older,” she said. “Charlotte loved to be the center of attention. She loved to sing, dance, and make jokes. She also loved to give people makeovers with her play makeup.”
The man who was also swept by the raising water hasn’t been identified yet.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy,” Mayor Lynn Crawford said in a statement.
“The entire Village of Ruidoso extends our deepest sympathy and compassion to 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.”
According to the National Weather Service, heavy downpour caused the water level of Rio Ruidoso to rise from less than three feet to a crest of 20.24 feet in under an hour.
The area has become prone to floods following the 2024 wildfires that destroyed around 1,400 structures and forced residents to flee.
Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said that emergency teams have conducted at least 85 swift water rescues in the area, helping people strained in their homes and their vehicles.
#breaking
A severe flood crisis is unfolding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, triggered by intense thunderstorms that caused rivers to rise 20 feet in just 30 minutes.The National Weather Service has issued critical flash flood alerts, prompting evacuation orders for multiple areas.… pic.twitter.com/kZcySOCx1R
— News Extra (@24NewsExtra) July 9, 2025
This tragedy comes after the devastating Texas floods that claimed the lives of over 107 people while more than 160 are still missing.
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