Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs under flash flood warning. Storms expected through weekend

A flash flood warning was issued for Lincoln County including Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs Wednesday as dangerously heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast in the area.

The warning was issued until 4:15 p.m. by the National Weather Service’s Albuquerque office and applied to south-central Lincoln County and its two population centers.

At about 1:30 p.m. the National Weather Service said its radar indicated thunderstorms above the area producing heavy rains.

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By the time of the report, about 0.75 and 1.5 inches of rain were reported with the potential for it to double through the afternoon.

“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly,” read the report.

The Weather Service warned drivers to avoid large puddles that could prove fatal if vehicles are submerged.

“Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads,” the report read. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

Both Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs had similar forecasts for increasing chance of thunderstorms and heavy, scattered rains throughout the rest of the week and weekend.

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Both cities were forecast with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon, dropping to a 20 percent chance in the evening, and a high of 81 degrees.

Thursday had a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms during the day and mostly cloudy conditions that night.

Friday’s chances of thunderstorms were higher at 50 percent, and both days were forecast at highs of 81 degrees.

Storm chances continued into the weekend with a 50 percent chance on Saturday and 30 percent chance on Sunday.

Flash flooding could occur along burn scars left by a large wildfire that burned thousands of acres this spring.

The McBride Fire was lit on April 12 and burned 6,159 acres in the Ruidoso area, killing two people and destroying more than 200 structures.

In its wake, a wildfire can leave land covered in ash and debris which is prone to flooding and easily carried off by moving water brought on by heavy rains.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.