Flash Flood — Lincoln, New Mexico

2025-07-31 · near Alto, Lincoln, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy rains resulted in high water levels along the Rio Bonito and along Sandesta Dr., entering homes in the area. Damage is an estimate.

Wider weather episode

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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.4475, -105.6380)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1269369. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.