Flooding Thursday in Ruidoso as Ruidoso Downs Moves Season to Albuquerque

Ruidoso and the area continues to reel and struggle with flooding issues that are impairing recovery from recent floods. The National Weather Service again issued a flash flood warning for the Ruidoso area where “rapidly rising floodwaters” were being reported Thursday afternoon 7-16-25. 

The Village of Ruidoso received reports of flooding in the U.S. Highway 70 area. Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services advised flash flooding was again "imminent” in the areas of Friedenbloom, Ruidoso Downs and Cedar Creek, as well as the Glencoe Area.

Two children and three adults were rescued from the Friedenbloom Trailer Park after water flow in the area made the roadway impassable.

The warning remained in effect until 3:30 p.m . With serious flooding yet again. Multiple residents reported the impacts in a community that continues to struggle with recovery from recent flooding. 

Photos Community Contribution of 7-16 flooding in Ruidoso

Photos Community Contribution of 7-16 flooding in Ruidoso

Photos Community Contribution of 7-16 flooding in Ruidoso

Photos Community Contribution of 7-16 flooding in Ruidoso

As the area struggles with recovery those businesses that are economic powerhouses in the area also continue to struggle with rebuilding and recovery adding to the misery. 

Nearly a week after the historic flooding and with additional flooding on Thursday, the Ruidoso Downs Horse Track decided to move the All American Futurity, Derby, and Oaks trials to the Downs in Albuquerque.

Rick Baugh, the general manager for the Ruidoso Downs, says he wants to assure the village and those who attend the races, they are not going anywhere. He says they are still assessing the damage, but there is no comparing it to last year.

“We’ve been assessing everything, we’re still assessing. We lost our jock’s rooms, our tote ward, barns, our test barns. There’s lot of destruction here,” said Baugh.

Through the devastation, they lost two out of the 1,800 horses they were housing.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is promising the state will help get the racetrack back up and running.

Ruidoso Downs represents $160 million of economic impact to the area. If it continues with downtime it would be a devastating blow to the region's economy with a trickle effect felt in both Lincoln County and Otero County.

Its been reported thT governor is letting the race track to choose from three design plans to get back running in 2026 again. That includes moving the racetrack north of the river or adding bridges for debris to move along during floods.

Regardless, the project will have to get done by April 2026, with enough time for the horses to get back on the track if the season for 2026 is to happen. 

The Bellamy Brothers concert that was scheduled for Aug. 31, 2025 is going to move to Tingley Coliseum as a benefit concert for Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. (Details here)

The Ruidoso Downs decided to move the All American Futurity, Derby, and Oaks trials to the Downs in Albuquerque for the rest of 2025 in the hopes of rebuilding. However the continued monsoons such as today's weather event is hampering those efforts. Stay tuned fir further developments and updates concerning the devastation and rebuilding efforts for Ruidoso and the region. 

More News from Alamogordo

• Alamogordo Tigers Soccer Results: Boys Spilt, Girl Win Soccer highlights
• Military Forever Chemicals Found in Curry County Residents Raises Local Questions to Holloman Forever Chemicals Study raiaes concerns for local residents.