Debris Flow — Lincoln, New Mexico

2024-06-29 · near Ruidoso, Lincoln, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy rains over the recent South Fork burn area totaling up to 1.48 inches at the Cow Mountain RAWS and estimate by radar to have surpassed 2 inches caused flash flooding heavy debris flows along the Rio Ruidoso. This torrent impacted several bridges and water crossings including, N. Eagle Drive, Grindstone Canyon Road, Country Club Drive. Numerous homes were impacted with a total of 26 swift water rescues stretched across the Rio Ruidoso and Cedar Creek drainages through the Village of Ruidoso. Fire crews were pulled out of sensitive areas due to the threat of heavy rains and an evacuation order was issued for the Village of Ruidoso shortly after 4pm MDT. The debris flow eventually reached downstream past the Village of Ruidoso to the Ruidoso Downs Track overtopping the edge of the facility and flowing out over the track. For reference, the Ruidoso Downs Track was constructed over the Rio Ruidoso. Miraculously there were no reports of injuries or fatalities. Damage is an estimate based extent and limited information.

Wider weather episode

A burst of record level monsoonal moisture flowed into NM coupled with a backdoor frontal boundary moving through eastern NM. This yielded scattered to numerous afternoon thunderstorms developing over the high terrain of central and western NM on June 29th. One batch developed directly over the new South Fork burn scar along the Lincoln and Otero County line just west of Ruidoso. This storm expanded in coverage eastward toward Alto and Ruidoso, producing burn scar flash flooding and debris flows throughout the area. Nearly all if not all drainages into the Rio Ruidoso exhibited thick debris flows through town, warranting an evacuation of the Upper Canyon area. Numerous streets and water crossings were inundated with debris flows and flash flooding. Emergency officials reported there being 26 swift water rescues in Ruidoso on June 29th with zero injuries or fatalities. Heavy rains spread into the Rio Grande Valley and East Mountain Communities that evening. The torrential downpours produced 1 to 2 inches of rainfall over the ABQ metro in as little as one hour resulting in flash flooding across town. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities thankfully. Heavy rains returned to the Ruidoso area on June 30th in the form of storms anchored over the high terrain. Rainfall totals were estimated to be as high as 4 to 6 inches over portions of the Salt burn scar located just south of the Otero County line. Flash flooding and debris flows drained northward into Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs to Hollywood. Another flash flood emergency was issued as a result and the torrential debris flows raged through U.S. Highway 70 with the worst of it focused near the Sudderth Drive intersection. Multiple vehicles were swept away, including a semi-truck. A sharp rise on the Rio Ruidoso was recorded reaching Minor flood stage again, just as it did on the 29th. Damage to businesses and the Ruidoso Hospital were reported.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1179155. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.