Flash flood emergency hits New Mexico town that burned in deadly wildfires
NBC1 day
Flash Floods Kill 3 in New Mexico Mountain Village
Above: Old photo of a flood warning sign in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on July 18, 2024. Image copyright: The Washington Post/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
From Texas to New Mexico, these historic floods stem from climate change and pollution, driving droughts followed by intense downpours. Studies have linked post-1980 precipitation declines to warming and aerosol pollution, worsening drought risks. What's worse, Trump's cuts to the National Weather Service have crippled warning systems, leaving these high-risk areas completely vulnerable.
Republican narrative
Trump did not make these floods worse. The NWS issued timely warnings in Texas despite minor staff reductions, and floods in such areas are typical, not driven by climate change. Precipitation trends show no clear link to warming or pollution, so blaming Trump is a blatantly political strategy that ignores local preparedness failures and the inherent complexity of extreme weather events.