Ruidoso, NM – July 9, 2025 – Visitors at a popular brewery in Ruidoso were left stunned on Monday when a powerful flash flood swept an entire house off its foundation and carried it downstream like a toy.
The shocking scene, captured on video by a local patron, shows a fast-moving torrent ripping through the area. Within moments, a full-sized home – visibly intact – is seen being carried away by the current, crashing into trees and debris before vanishing downstream.
Screams of disbelief and gasps echoed among the onlookers, many of whom had been enjoying a casual afternoon before disaster struck.
The flash flood followed days of heavy monsoon rains that overwhelmed local waterways. According to Ruidoso emergency services, the region received over three inches of rainfall in under 24 hours – an amount rarely seen in the typically dry terrain.
“It all happened so fast. One moment we were sipping beer, the next we saw an entire house floating by,” said one eyewitness, still shaken.
Officials confirmed that the house was unoccupied at the time and no injuries have been reported. However, several structures nearby are at risk as the Rio Ruidoso continues to swell.
The incident has reignited conversations about floodplain development and emergency preparedness in mountain towns like Ruidoso, which are increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven extreme weather events.
Authorities have issued flood warnings for Lincoln County and are urging residents to stay alert, avoid low-lying areas, and be ready to evacuate if needed.
