Authorities in the mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, have declared a state of emergency following severe floods that swept through the area, washing away homes and submerging bridges.

Reports indicated that heavy rainfall struck regions that had been devastated by massive wildfires last year, which scorched nearly 6,800 hectares of forest.

The fate of three people remains unknown after they were reported missing as a result of the disaster.

Rescue and emergency teams are working around the clock to provide aid and assess the damage, while the weather service has warned of continued rainfall in the region.