A man who saw the flash flood that descended upon the New Mexico mountain community of Ruidoso, killing three people and damaging dozens of homes, described the scenes as "unbelievable."

Parts of New Mexico have experienced unprecedented and deadly flash flooding over the last few days, causing major damage. At least three people, including two children, were killed in Ruidoso.

The neighbouring state of Texas also experienced a major flood just a few days earlier, but with a very different outcome. The ferocity of the inundation in Texas caught forecasters and state officials by surprise, killing at least 119 people.

While climate change is not solely responsible for causing the recent flash floods across the country, here's how it does influence these events and their impact.

Video shows a flash flood washing away a home in Ruidoso, New Mexico after slow-moving thunderstorms brought heavy rain to the area, breaking records along the Rio Ruidoso.

At least 173 people are still missing in Central Texas, with the governor warning that ‘there could be more added to that list’