Residents of Ruidoso, New Mexico are under a voluntary evacuation after village officials warned that heavy rain has sharply increased the risk of a landslide in Upper Canyon.
The Civil Emergency Message, relayed by the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque, covers the area of Upper Canyon beyond Main and Fox Road.
Landslide Risk in Upper Canyon
The Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management says the heavy rain forecast has increased the landslide risk enough to warrant a voluntary evacuation of the affected area.
The advisory runs until noon on September 30.
Officials warn that landslides can occur suddenly and may be deadly.
Residents seeking shelter can go to Gateway Church, and more information is available on 1490 AM or the Village of Ruidoso’s social media accounts.
Tied to Ongoing Flash Flooding
The evacuation comes as NWS Albuquerque has repeatedly issued Flash Flood Warnings for the Ruidoso area.
Burn scars from past wildfires leave the ground especially prone to fast runoff and debris flows during heavy rain.
A Statewide Flood Threat
NWS Albuquerque says the Ruidoso situation is part of a broader, statewide flash flood concern.
That concern is expected to persist through Wednesday as widespread rain continues across New Mexico.
What Voluntary Evacuation Means
A voluntary evacuation means residents are strongly encouraged, but not legally required, to leave the affected area.
Officials generally recommend residents in these zones leave early rather than wait, since landslides can strike with little to no warning once slopes become saturated.
The evacuation window runs through midday Tuesday, though officials could extend it if heavy rain continues to soak the area.
Safety Reminders
Residents in the Upper Canyon area beyond Main and Fox Road should consider relocating to Gateway Church or another safe location while the risk remains elevated.
Anyone in the wider Ruidoso area should avoid low water crossings and steep, saturated slopes.
Turn around, don’t drown — never drive through flooded roads.
For live updates, follow NWS Albuquerque on X.
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