Flash Flood — Otero, New Mexico

2022-07-29 · near Bent, Otero, New Mexico

Event narrative

A total of 2.25 inches of rain fell at the Newcalero Tribal Fish Hatchery in about an hour and a half. Flash flooding was subsequently reported between mile markers 247 and 252 on Highway 70 with 3 feet of water and debris crossing the road. In addition to the highway flooding, six inches of water flowed into the Mescalero Community Center.

Wider weather episode

Modest low and mid level southeast flow kept some monsoon moisture around the Sacramento Mountains. Very weak flow aloft kept storms moving slowly allowing for heavy rain to fall over the Soldier Canyon Burn Scar. Several areas around Mescalero received flash flooding due to over two inches of rain falling in just over an hour.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.1696, -105.8225)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1048998. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.