Flash Flood — San Miguel, New Mexico

2025-05-31 · near San Antonio, San Miguel, New Mexico

Event narrative

The San Miguel County Fire Chief shared delayed reports of flash flooding occurring in several locations of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar from a thunderstorm. Water flowing over roadways was reported southwest of Sapello at County Roads A2 and A3 near Las Dispensas, County Roads A18 and A19 near Mineral Hill, and over Cunningham Rd. and El Llano Rd. crossing Gallinas Peak between Montezuma and Las Vegas.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed over the central portion of the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar in the early afternoon of May 31st. One of these storms produced heavy rain over upper portions of the Gallinas and Sapello Rivers. An estimated 1 to 2 inches of rainfall produced flash flooding within these drainages that overtopped low water crossings that reached down the Gallinas Creek to areas between Montezuma and Las Vegas.

Key Word: Burn Scar Flash Flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.6156, -105.2478)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1251318. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.