Flash Flood — Mckinley, New Mexico

2008-07-11 · near Gamerco, Mckinley, New Mexico

Direct deaths

$40K

Property damage

Event narrative

The heavy rain caused water up to three feet deep to flow through downtown Gallup, on either side of Interstate 40. A rock slide occurred near the intersection of West Jefferson Avenue and Highway 491, causing a large boulder to crush three transients who were seeking shelter from the rain. A section of Highway 491 was also flooded 9 miles north of Gallup. A number of homes were flooded in Gallup, including some as far south as Nizhona Boulevard. Sundance Road was also flooded east of Gallup, in a subdivision between Rehoboth and Church Rock.

Wider weather episode

A deep tap of subtropical moisture combined with a weak disturbance aloft to produce heavy rain over Gallup, resulting in flash flooding in the downtown area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.6266, -108.7564)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 101570. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.