New Mexico Flash Flood Emergency: Multiple Rescues Underway as Torrential Rains Pummel State New Mexico is grappling with a major flash flood emergency as torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods across the state.

Multiple rescue operations are underway, with emergency services scrambling to reach stranded individuals and families trapped by rapidly rising waters.

The severity of the situation prompted state officials to declare a state of emergency, freeing up vital resources and support for affected areas.

Reports indicate that several communities have been particularly hard hit, with overflowing rivers and arroyos inundating homes and businesses.

Videos and images circulating on social media show cars submerged, roads washed away, and debris-laden floodwaters surging through streets.

The speed and force of the floods have left many residents with little time to evacuate, leading to a number of dramatic rescues.

The National Guard has been deployed to assist local emergency responders, providing crucial support in search and rescue efforts, as well as helping to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas.

Helicopters are being used to reach those trapped in remote locations or in areas inaccessible by ground vehicles.

The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued severe thunderstorm warnings and flash flood watches prior to the event, but the intensity and volume of rainfall exceeded expectations in many areas.

The NWS is continuing to monitor weather patterns and provide updates as the situation evolves.

Further rainfall is predicted in some regions, raising concerns about additional flooding and the potential for prolonged rescue and recovery efforts.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but early reports suggest significant infrastructure damage, including damaged roads, bridges, and utilities.

The economic impact on affected communities is likely to be substantial, with businesses and homes sustaining significant losses.

The state has urged residents in at-risk areas to remain vigilant, heed all official warnings, and avoid flooded areas.

Further information and assistance resources are being provided through the state emergency management agency's website and social media channels.

The focus now remains on the ongoing rescue operations and ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by this devastating flash flood emergency.

A father and two children in Lincoln, New Mexico, were washed away in flood waters on Tuesday, the National Weather Service reported after declaring a flash flooding emergency in the area. 

Multiple rescue missions were underway at Gavilan Trailer Park in Ruidoso, and another person was also trapped in high water, the in its local storm report at 5:50 p.m. ET. Some people are unaccounted for but the number is unclear, Kerry Gladden, a spokesperson for the village of Ruidoso, told TheNews.

Injuries have been reported but the extent is also unclear, Gladden said.

A on social media by Ruidoso resident Kaitlyn Carpenter shows fast-moving water sweeping a home down a river. shows flood water carrying a myriad of debris down a river bank before reaching a small bridge and inundating the roadway.

Around a dozen roads were closed because of debris, Gladden said, and the cleanup is underway after water receded.

Images from the U.S. Geological Survey to the NWS Albuquerque's X account also show a river in Lincoln County, the Rio Ruidoso, rapidly rising 15 feet in about an hour. "Stay away from the river! Seek higher ground NOW!" the weather service wrote. 

The Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood possibly reached 20.24 feet during the height of the flash flood, NWS Albuquerque said on X. If the provisional number is confirmed, it would be a record high.

According to the USGS's , water levels at the 30-mile-long river located about 150 miles southeast of Albuquerque were "extremely above" its historic daily averages on Tuesday evening.

Gladden said the Hollywood gauge on the Rio Ruidoso hit a record level during the flash flood, illustrating how fast it hit.

The area around the Rio Ruidoso and much of Lincoln County was , at the surface and more prone to flooding. 

Wildfires can significantly change the landscape, including reducing vegetation — which decreases the number of plants and roots to hold all the soil in place. The burn scars increase flash flood risks for at least two years, according to the federal , which assessed the damage.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.