Ruidoso Trade Post owner says he’s lost more than half of the inventory

RUIDOSO, New Mexico(KVIA)-- Powerful flood waters ripped through Ruidoso leaving the city unrecognizable. Arnold Duke, owner of Ruidoso Trade Post says he estimates he's lost over $1 million dollars worth of jewelry from his wholesale location.

"We had jewelry on all of these walls. All five of these rooms were full of necklaces, jewelry all over the walls. And then in boxes on shelves. Hundreds of pairs of earrings and trays and trays of rings. And one of our displays is on the other side of the river right now." Duke said.

A surveillance video shows how quickly water enter the shop leaving a water line that almost reached the ceiling. Duke says although he lost a lot he's just happy to be alive.