Flash Flood — Lincoln, New Mexico

2025-07-17 · near Alto, Lincoln, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy rains over the South Fork and Salt burn scars near Ruidoso produced flash flooding. Water and debris overflowed U.S. Highway 70 at Sudderth Dr. and Ruidoso Downs, White Mountain Dr., Gavilan Canyon Rd. from Alto Cafe to Meander, and Alpine Village Road. The Cherokee Mobile Home village was evacuated with swiftwater rescues performed there, and at Big-O Tires and on Friedenbloom Drive. Damage is an estimate.

Wider weather episode

Abundant monsoonal moisture resulted in scattered to numerous afternoon thunderstorms developing over the high terrain of NM before moving over surrounding lower elevations during the late afternoon and evening hours of July 16th and 17th. While a few thunderstorms became severe and produced large hail in a few spots of northeastern NM on the 16th, flash flooding over the Ruidoso area burn scars was the main source of impacts. Swift water rescues and evacuations were ordered while flood waters and debris overflowed roads and bridges through the Village of Ruidoso, mainly on the 17th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.4184, -105.6897)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1264497. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.