Flash Flood — Torrance, New Mexico

2024-06-29 to 2024-06-30 · near Quarai, Torrance, New Mexico

Event narrative

NMDOT reported standing water on NM 542 and NM 55 prompting a road closure.

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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.6104, -106.2464)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1179159. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.