The New Mexico town of Ruidoso is put under flood emergency yesterday and nearly 300 people was evacuated from a local recreational park.

The flood, caused by remnants of Hurricane Dolly, has destroyed as many as 100 homes and at least 150 people are currently in shelters, local authorities told reporters.

Tom Schaefer, emergency management coordinator, Lincoln County that includes Ruidoso, said people who need rescuing from their home should get on the rooftop and try to call the fire department for rescue.

Former city manager Frank Potter said this maybe the worst area flood in 100 years.

More than 15 centimeters of rain has fallen in the area, and flash flood watches were in effect for Ruidoso and other areas in central and eastern New Mexico.