I Was There to Document the Aftermath of Deadly Flooding. Then, It Started Raining.

On July 30, 2025, a flash flood struck the Rio Ruidoso, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives, including two children. ProPublica reporters Abe Streep and I arrived in Ruidoso to investigate the aftermath. Ruidoso, a town reliant on tourism, had experienced fires just three summers prior, yet leaders failed to address the heightened risk of flash floods.

Despite warnings from experts, they opted to promote tourism rather than implement a relocation plan. The emergency response to the recent flood was deemed inadequate, with first responders claiming the death toll could have been reduced. The village leadership has been criticized for leaving emergency responders understaffed and under-equipped.

The fire chief and mayor, while apologizing for not starting the fire, have avoided taking responsibility for the aftermath. As a photographer, my task was to capture the realities faced by the people of Ruidoso during this devastating event.