The village of Ruidoso is located in the southern part of New Mexico and is a noted vacation spot boasting camping and recreation amid its expansive forest landscape. World Population Review notes the village rose to a total of 7,600 in 2025. That was a decrease of the population by less than 1% in recent years.

RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — The loss of three lives to flash flooding in the mountain village of Ruidoso is “unfathomable and unfair,” New Mexico’s governor said Thursday, as surveys revealed more extensive damage to homes than initially thought.

At least three people have died as a result of severe flash flooding that swept through a south-central New Mexico resort town on Tuesday afternoon. The devastating floods left people trapped in homes and prompted dozens of water rescues in Ruidoso,