A post-fire nightmare in New Mexico: Eight floods in four weeks

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🗞️ Driving the news: Ruidoso, New Mexico, has faced eight floods in four weeks following two massive wildfire
• These events have devastated the town, damaging homes and infrastructure, and have left residents in a constant state of anxiety and preparation for more flooding

🔭 The context: The fires last month burned over 25,000 acres and nearly 1,000 homes. Burned vegetation and altered soil composition have significantly reduced the land's ability to absorb rainfall, increasing flood risks
• This combination of wildfire followed by intense rain is becoming more common due to climate change

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Climate change is creating conditions that exacerbate such disasters, with hotter, drier climates leading to more intense fires and storms
• This scenario underscores the growing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters

⏭️ What's next: Ruidoso remains on high alert as weather forecasts predict more rain
• Residents continue to fortify their homes and hope for mitigation efforts to address long-term safety and recovery

💬 One quote: “This town is in survival mode, literally,” said Dana Schenk, a local property owner impacted by the floods

📈 One stat: The fires burned over 25,000 acres last month, leading to subsequent floods that have damaged more than 200 homes spared by the fire

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