Flash Flood — Los Alamos, New Mexico

2011-08-21 · near Los Alamos, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Event narrative

After 1 to 1.5 inches of rain fell on the northern portion of the Las Conchas burn scar, flash flooding was reported in Santa Clara Canyon. Four people that were working in the canyon had to be rescued by helicopter.

Wider weather episode

The first day of flash flooding over the Las Conchas burn scar was widespread as weak upper level disturbances rounded the west side of the upper high. Early in the afternoon, showers and thunderstorms developed over the central and northern portions of the burn scar. These storms generally produced 1 to 2 inches of rainfall. Later in the afternoon and early evening, even stronger and very slow moving storms developed across the southern portions of the burn scar. Radar estimated 3 to 4 inches of rain across a widespread area. Flash flooding was reported with each of these storms. The storms moved eastward over Santa Fe in the evening, and produced additional flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.9400, -106.3800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 329121. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.