Harlan H. Vincent, representative for New Mexico House District 56, expressed pride in the emergency personnel and emphasized the significance of the Ruidoso Downs Race Track to the community. He pledged a committed rebuilding effort following unprecedented flooding in the area.
"I've never been more proud of the men and women who stepped up," said H. Vincent, New Mexico State Representative for 56th District (R). "First responders, firefighters, law enforcement, and rescue teams ran toward danger without hesitation. We will protect what makes Ruidoso special."
According to Reuters, on July 8, 2025, Ruidoso experienced catastrophic flash flooding when heavy monsoon rainfall—between 2.5 to 3.5 inches in roughly 90 minutes—fell on burn-scarred terrain. This caused the Rio Ruidoso to surge about 20 feet, five feet above the prior record, rapidly inundating the village. The surge prompted a flash flood emergency and widespread rescue operations across the mountain community, which had already endured wildfires in 2024.
The floods claimed three lives—a man in his 40s or 50s, a four-year-old girl, and a seven-year-old boy—all swept downstream, as confirmed by the Village of Ruidoso. Two wounded adults, including Fort Bliss soldier Sebastian Trotter and his wife, were hospitalized in Texas. The disaster triggered at least 85 swift-water rescues of residents trapped in homes and vehicles as rescue teams mobilized statewide, according to The Watchers.
The Washington Post reported that initial damage assessments indicate at least 200 homes were destroyed or significantly damaged by the flooding; surveys are ongoing. Floodwaters carried debris and entire homes downstream, washing away structures from Riverside RV Park in some cases. The Ruidoso Downs racetrack—central to local culture and tourism—was severely damaged, leading to the cancellation of its 2025 racing season and impacting an estimated $150–160 million annual economic output.
Vincent was born in Clovis, New Mexico and served in the Ruidoso Fire Department for 25 years—including as Fire Chief and commander of the Ruidoso Emergency Operations Center—until retiring in 2016. He was elected to the New Mexico House in November 2022 and took office on January 1, 2023.
