Flash Flood — Bernalillo, New Mexico

2010-09-22 · near Carnuel, Bernalillo, New Mexico

Event narrative

A 27-year old man was swept away by fast flowing water in the I-40 Channel. The man was walking in the arroyo with his brother near I-40 and Louisiana, when a rush of water swept the man off his feet. The man traveled west to the North Diversion Channel, then north to the Rio Grande River. He was found dead along a sand bar in the Rio Grande River three days later near Coors Bypass. He traveled a total distance of 13 miles. His brother made it out alive, without injury.

Wider weather episode

A sharp trough of low pressure from the west combined with remnant moisture from tropical storm Georgette produced heavy rain over much of New Mexico. Areas around Gladstone in Union County were the hardest hit. Three feet of water inundated one house and rapidly flowing water carried a car 1/4 mile away from the residence.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.0725, -106.5006)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 252947. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.