Flash Flood in Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Heavy rainfall caused sudden and strong runoff through diversion channels and arroyos across town. Swift water rescues were done at Rachel Road SE and Four Hills Road and Wyoming Blvd. and Indian School Road. Two people were rescued, while a third did not survive at the Rachel Road and Four Hills location. A debris flow was also reported within the Tijeras Arroyo that runs just south of the Albuquerque Sunport but water remained in its banks.

A high influx of moisture ahead of an approaching upper low over the bootheel of NM allowed numerous showers and thunderstorms to develop over central and eastern NM on June 9th. Slow storm motions resulted from a decaying high pressure system still centered over northern NM, allowing storms to produce locally heavy rainfall. A series of three such slow moving storms passed over southeastern Albuquerque during the late afternoon hours, dumping 2 to 3 inches of rain in a small area near and just west of the Four Hills development. Flash flooding resulted, and swift water rescues were performed in two locations. There was unfortunately one death in a diversion channel from the fast moving waters, while two others were rescued.

Key Words: Hail, Flash Flood.