Flash Flood — Catron, New Mexico

2013-09-14 · near Reserve Negrito Arpt, Catron, New Mexico

Event narrative

Rapid water rise, 5 to 8 feet, with debris in the Middle Fork Gila River near the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center. Observer never witnessed anything like it and was concerned flood would wipe out USGS gauge. Bridge did not get washed out. Search and rescue efforts initiated for 2 stranded hikers.

Wider weather episode

A stationary upper level low pressure system that settled into the Great Basin around the 10th provided a steady stream of near record subtropical atmospheric moisture over New Mexico. At least 4 back-to-back upper level disturbances pushed north and east across the region and interacted with the monsoon moisture plume through the 14th to produce widespread historic rainfall amounts. Significant flooding impacted the state as rainfall amounts over this 5-day period averaged 3 to 6 inches and in some areas just over 10 inches. Several river gauges reported record to near record crests and in a couple cases gauges were completely destroyed. Emergency management reported disastrous impacts to residential, commercial, and transportation infrastructure. A total of 14 counties, 4 cities and towns, 5 pueblos, and the Navajo Nation were included in a statewide and Presidential disaster declaration. The New Mexico State EOC was staffed at Level 2 operations for several days. Damages from this widespread historic rainfall event for northern and central New Mexico likely exceeded 10 million dollars.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.2200, -108.2500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 469196. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.