Flash Flood in Mora County, New Mexico

An estimated 2 to 3 inches of rain across the northern portion of the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn area caused significant flash flooding and debris flow across portions of western Mora County. Canoncito Creek overtopped the culvert and flooded Canoncito Road. Highway 94 was also impacted with widespread flooding and debris flow which forced the closure of the highway. Damages are estimated.

Despite an early onset to the year's monsoon season and significant June rainfall totals, flash flooding and debris flow had not been reported across the largest burn scar in New Mexico likely thanks to steady, stratiform rain that had been occurring since mid-June. However, a more traditional monsoon pattern finally set up on July 1, 2022 as the high pressure to the east of New Mexico allowed for a deep plume of monsoonal moisture. Thunderstorms that developed over the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn area were now more convective and prone to producing heavy rainfall rates. This caused the most significant flash flooding so far of the season as multiple reports of flooding and debris flow across the burn scar were received. This prompted evacuations and road closures across western Mora and San Miguel counties.