RUIDOSO, N.M. (KVIA) — A construction crew working to repair flood damage in Ruidoso found themselves fighting for their lives when another round of deadly flooding swept through the area this week.

Ramon Nieto and his team had returned to a riverside home to rebuild what last year’s floods had left behind. But as rain started falling on Tuesday, Nieto didn’t expect it would quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency.

Nieto saw the river rising fast and immediately moved his vehicle and his crew’s trucks to higher ground. But by the time he got back to the job site, water was already knee-deep.

"I tied the curtains to the tree because the water was up to the second deck, and, so we got up there and started hanging on to the trees," Nieto said. "It was just a dramatic experience because, it had took everything."

As the floodwaters surged around them, Nieto feared for more than just the project. "What about my mom, my sister, my guys’ families? What would they have done with if they lost us? You know, I mean, we didn't know what to do there," he told ABC-7.

Nieto and his crew managed to escape the flood unharmed, but their work did not. They estimate at least $50,000 worth of rebuilding was washed away overnight.

"There's really no point in rebuilding," Nieto said about the damage. But the homeowner insists they’ll press on. Once the storms clear, the crew plans to return and start over again.

Flood Risk Rising‍

Ruidoso has seen repeated floods in recent years, leaving homeowners and contractors caught in a cycle of damage and repair. Local officials say the area’s terrain and changing weather patterns are making flash floods more frequent and more destructive.

Economic Toll‍

For small construction crews like Nieto’s, rebuilding the same property multiple times is financially devastating. Some contractors have no insurance coverage for repeated flood damage, pushing them to absorb massive losses.

Community Resilience‍

Despite the setback, residents say they have no choice but to rebuild. Many homes damaged this summer were still recovering from last year’s flooding. Some locals have called for stronger riverbank reinforcement and better flood management.‍

Help May Be Coming‍

State emergency officials are assessing damage across the region. If federal disaster relief is approved, homeowners and small contractors may qualify for grants or low-interest loans to repair or rebuild.

A Dangerous Pattern‍

Meteorologists warn that the monsoon season could bring more heavy rain in the coming weeks, putting vulnerable areas at risk of additional flooding and further delays for workers like Nieto’s crew.

Originally reported by Lauren Bly in KVIA News.