Flash Flood — Mora, New Mexico

2022-07-02 · near Mora, Mora, New Mexico

Event narrative

Local law enforcement reported that heavy rain and debris flow made Highway 94 as well as County Road C 001 impassable which forced the closure of the roads. New Mexico Department of Transportation personnel worked through the overnight hours to clear the roadways and reopen them. Along Maestas Canyon, a lifelong resident was caught by surprise when four feet of water, mud, and debris came rushing down the canyon. A large shipping container also caught within the flood crashed into his cabin. The resident fled in his vehicle, and fortunately suffered no injuries. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

With a deep plume of moisture focused across western and central New Mexico, another active monsoon day occurred on July 2, 2022. Thunderstorms first initiated along the mountainous terrain with steering flow tracking this activity in a northerly to northeasterly direction. Several thunderstorms that developed near the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burn scar produced an estimated 0.75 to 1.25 inches along the northern half of the burn scar. That resulted in flash flooding and debris flow along Highway 94 near Ledoux.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.9747, -105.3352)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1025850. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.