ProPublica: Ruidoso mayor prioritized tourism over flood safety, first responders say
Investigation finds three deaths in New Mexico flood could have been prevented if village leadership had heeded expert warnings and equipped emergency response.
What to know
- Three people, including two children, died in a July 2025 Ruidoso flood on a burn scar left by previous fires that experts had flagged as creating elevated flash-flood risk.
- Village leadership rejected a relocation plan for at-risk homes and instead promoted tourism; Mayor Crawford chastised residents for warning of floods on social media.
- First responders told ProPublica the deaths were preventable, citing understaffing and inadequate equipment provided by village leadership.
- Ruidoso has not publicly released a report on rescue efforts, and the Fire Chief disputed the reporting without providing specifics.
“after the 2024 fires, experts warned the town of increased flash flooding risks. Initially, local and state leaders considered a relocation plan for some homes and businesses that would get people out of harm's way, but the project faltered.”
Cengiz Yar, ProPublica visual journalist · ProPublica ↗ · Nov 2
Mayor Lynn Crawford Mayor of RuidosoCade Hall Fire Chief, RuidosoAbe Streep ProPublica reporter, Southwest officeCengiz Yar ProPublica visual journalist
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
-
1
ProPublica reports first responders say deaths were preventable
ProPublica publishes investigation finding that while local and state officials claimed the emergency response was admirable, first responders told the outlet the three deaths could have been avoided. Responders say village leadership left them understaffed and inadequately equipped to contend with the flooding.
“first responders say the three deaths could have been avoided. The responders told Abe that village leadership left them understaffed and inadequately equipped to contend with the flooding.”
— Cengiz Yar, ProPublica visual journalist -
C
Three people died in Ruidoso, New Mexico, last year when floods swept through the area. I wrote about what it was like documenting the story as it unfolded, today on @propublica.org
-
-
background
Monsoon floods kill three people in Ruidoso — Monsoon rain hits the burn scar, swelling the Rio Ruidoso and its tributaries. Three people—two children and one man—are swept to their deaths as floods rip through town.
-
background
Mayor promotes tourism and chastises flood warnings on social media — Instead of implementing the relocation plan, village leaders continued promoting tourism to Ruidoso. Mayor Lynn Crawford chastised residents for warning of floods on social media.
-
background
Experts warn Ruidoso of increased flash-flood risk after fires — After the 2024 fires, experts warned the town of increased flash-flooding risks. Local and state leaders initially considered a relocation plan for homes and businesses in harm's way, but the project faltered.
-
background
Fires start near Ruidoso after burn scar dries — Two forest fires start surrounding Ruidoso, New Mexico, around 25 miles from where journalist Cengiz Yar was camping. The fires are eventually suppressed by human effort and monsoon rains, but the saturation of burnt landscape triggers recurring floods through town.