The two kids of a Fort Bliss soldier were among the fatal victims of the recent flash floods in New Mexico on Tuesday.
The incident claimed the lives of three people, including the two kids, after they were "swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck" the village of Ruidoso. In a press conference on Wednesday, village officials said that the fatalities were the "biggest catastrophe of all."
New Mexico Flash Floods
The two children were later identified as four-year-old Charlotte Trotter and her brother, seven-year-old Sebastian Trotter. The kids' aunt, Tiffanie Wyat, said that the kids' parents, Sebastian and Stephanie Trotter, both suffered serious injuries but were expected to recover while being treated in a hospital in Texas.
Wyatt said that the children were full of life and could always be seen smiling. She described Sebastian as a boy who loved to collect Pokémon cards, play sports, and wanted to be a professional soccer player, according to ABC News.
She added that his sister Charlotte loved to be the center of attention and enjoyed singing, dancing, and making jokes. Wyatt said the young girl also loved giving people makeovers using her toy makeup kit.
On top of losing the two children, the family also lost two dogs because of the flash floods, identified as a four-year-old German Shepherd named Ellie and a nine-year-old husky named Zeus. The third victim in the incident was later found to be a man in his 40s or 50s, but his identity has not been made public.
The flooding was a result of monsoon rains bringing water that overwhelmed the Rio Ruidoso, sweeping the man and the two children from an RV park. At the time of the incident, the kids were camping with their parents, the Associated Press reported.
A Tragic Incident
Ruidoso residents are somewhat used to tragedy, as they previously spent a year rebuilding after the destructive wildfires last summer and the subsequent flooding. The latest incident caused widespread damage, including homes, businesses, and other structures.
The New Mexico tragedy comes as nearby, in Texas, residents are also reeling from flash floods that have already taken the lives of more than 100 people, including several dozen children from Camp Mystic.
Technical consultant for aquatics safety and water rescue at Lifesaving Resources, Gerry Dworkin, said that a flash flood comes suddenly. If people do not have any warning, they could be in serious trouble, as even just six inches of fast-moving water can knock adults down, as per CBS News.
