Flash Flood — Santa Fe, New Mexico

2013-07-08 · near Agua Fria, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Event narrative

The body of an adult female was recovered from an arroyo on the south side of Santa Fe during the late evening hours. Additionally, one to two feet of water was reported on some roads on the south side of Santa Fe. Rainfall reports ranged from 0.50-1.41. Dry arroyos and streams in the area ran deep and fast well into the evening as a result of runoff from the storm. Arroyos were reported to be filled with about 8 feet of fast-moving water at the peak of the flooding.

Wider weather episode

An upper level high centered over New Mexico continued to dominate the weather pattern. Ample moisture in place provided for a 'recycle' mode pattern. Slow-moving storms with significant moisture caused flooding in areas of central New Mexico throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Storms initially developed across the northern high terrain and drifted slowly east onto the adjacent plains and highlands. Storms continued to develop into the late evening hours in the Albuquerque South Valley prompting evacuations in some areas due to flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.6444, -105.9786)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 452430. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.