Flash Flood — Mora, New Mexico

2022-07-28 · near Gascon, Mora, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy rain estimated at 1 to 1.5 inches caused major flooding on the northern portion of the Calf Canyon burn scar. The Gascon and Cleveland areas were hardest hit again as they have been for most of the month of July. In Gascon, fast moving water carried logs and boulders downstream, and Highway 105 near Camp Davis was flooded. A spotter remarked that four waterfalls were rushing down Gascon Peak. Near Cleveland, signficant flooding was reported along the Rio la Casa with boulders flowing downstream. At least two bridges were flooded, including one on Highway 518. Also near Cleveland, the Canoncito Creek overflowed its banks again, flooding pastures and several properties along the creek. Highway 518 was flooded along this creek as well. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

A very active month of July continued on July 28, 2022 across northern and central New Mexico as numerous showers and thunderstorms impacted the area. With an abundant amount of moisture still in place, these thunderstorms were very capable of producing heavy rain. New Mexico's largest burn scar continued to be hit with major flooding reported on the northern portion of the Calf Canyon burn scar. Meanwhile, areas across northwest New Mexico are still very dry, and this was proven by a haboob impacting the Shiprock area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.8900, -105.4500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1033580. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.