Flash Flood in Lincoln County, New Mexico

Heavy rain on the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding and flowing water across Ebarb Dr. from Perk Canyon along with Brady Canyon Rd. and Ponderosa Dr. The flash flooding continued downstream with a dumpster floating down Rio St. and Grindstone Canyon Rd. and flowing water closing Johnson & Main Rd. Large debris was reported at the 300 block of Cedar Creek. Water was also observed reaching the bridge at Two Rivers. Finally, flooding was observed at the Riverside RV Park near Gavilan Canyon Rd. and Sudderth Dr.

Intense daytime heating combined with modest atmospheric moisture resulted in the development of showers and thunderstorms across the central mountain chain during the afternoon hours. Heavy rainfall from these slow-moving storms resulted in flash flooding and debris flow on the South Fork burn scar just west of downtown Ruidoso. Storms moved off the central mountain chain into the adjacent highlands during the evening hours with one storm resulting in a 60 mph wind gust near Raton Crews Airport. Isolated storms across eastern NM dissipated just after sunset due to the loss of daytime heating.