Flash Flood — Rio Arriba, New Mexico

2022-06-18 · near Dixon, Rio Arriba, New Mexico

Event narrative

An estimated 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain caused an arroyo near Embudo to spill out of its bank, causing water to flow over County Road 69. Embudo Creek was also reported to be running high with clogged culverts at mile marker 3 on New Mexico State Road 75 near Dixon. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

As an area of high pressure remained centered to the east of New Mexico, it allowed for a healthy stream of moisture to continue to move into the western half of the state on June 18, 2022. With the monsoonal moisture plume focused in this area, the day's thunderstorms favored areas along and west of the central mountain chain. With moisture streaming into the area over the past few days, the atmosphere was primed and better able to support thunderstorms with heavy rain. One of these thunderstorms near Embudo in Rio Arriba County produced an estimated 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain which caused flooding along area roadways. Another washed out a section of New Mexico State Road 6 near Los Lunas, forcing the closure of the highway.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.1781, -105.9188)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1021552. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.