Flash Flood in Lincoln County, New Mexico

Heavy rains over the South Fork and Salt burn scars in and around Ruidoso resulted in burn scar flash flooding. Flash flooding was reported along multiple portions of Cedar Creek and the Rio Ruidoso, including at Mechem Dr., Brady and Porr Roads, Country Club Road, Robin Road and River Trail, a bridge at Eagle Road, Gavilan Canyon Road, and along U.S. Highway 70 in Hollywood. Spring Canyon Road was washed out and made impassable. Fast moving water was reported over all roads in the Cherokee Village Mobile Home park where a confirmed gas leak was reported alongside a successful swift water rescue of an adult woman. An unknown number of other swift water rescues were conducted in Hollywood. Flash flooding overtopped the bridge on the access road to the Ruidoso Downs racetrack, and flooded the horse tunnel and Spaghetti Flats north and east of the racetrack. Damage is an estimate.

A disturbance rotating north around the upper high circulation centered over south central U.S. followed by a backdoor front entering eastern New Mexico in the middle of the week increased monsoon moisture and shower and thunderstorm coverage across the state. Daily slow moving thunderstorms on the Ruidoso burn scars during the afternoon hours resulted in several occurrences flash flooding on and downstream of the burn scars. Slow moving thunderstorms also resulted in flash flooding on the White Sands Missile Range in eastern Lincoln County, near Elk in southwest Lincoln County on July 30th, and in Santa Fe during the evening hours of July 31st with debris flow closing Highway 38 a few miles west of Red River for several hours late on July 31st. Nearby storms also caused a landspout on the West Mesa of Albuquerque and a 73 mph wind gust at Gallup Municipal Airport on July 30th.