Flash flood emergency declared in New Mexico as heavy rain follows wildfires

More than 1,400 structures destroyed or damaged after village of Ruidoso residents forced to flee earlier in the week

Days after devastating wildfires killed at least two people and burned more than 1,400 buildings, the village of Ruidoso in New Mexico has seen heavy rain that forced more evacuations as well as water rescues.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency, and warned people to seek higher ground. Water rescues are ongoing in the Ruidoso area as flood waters surge down the slopes from nearby burn scars," the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque said on Wednesday afternoon. The flooding temporarily forced some fire crews to evacuate, KOB4 reported.