Flash Flood — Mckinley, New Mexico

2025-09-28 · near (gup)gallup Airport, Mckinley, New Mexico

Event narrative

A woman driving home on New Mexico Highway 602 about 5 miles south of Gallup was swept away in floodwaters, according to Navajo Nation and New Mexico State Police. Tragically, her deceased body was found after a five day search and rescue operation in nearby areas.

Wider weather episode

A troughing pattern from the Pacific brought in a late season monsoon burst of moisture to the Desert Southwest. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed over portions of the state with more locally heavy rainfall events occurring from the abundant monsoon moisture. Flash flooding was observed in several locations ranging from near El Malpais south of Grants, NM, in Navajo Nation west of Crownpoint, and in Tijeras east of Albuquerque. One woman was reportedly swept away from flash flooding south of Gallup near Red Rock.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.4592, -108.7621)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1289162. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.