Flash Flood — El Paso, Texas

2002-08-02 · near El Paso, El Paso, Texas

Wider weather episode

A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms moved into central and downtown El Paso from the south, dropping 1.5 to 2 inches of rain at the rate of an inch in 10 minutes on the southern spine of the Franklin Mountains. The excessive runoff resulted in several cars being washed off streets, and the closure of Interstate 10 for several hours. A child playing in flood waters was swept into a catchment basin. After being rescued, he died the following day. These storms also produced wet microbursts measured at 69 mph in two locations. An athletic dome still under construction at Cohen Stadium was severely damaged.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5317858. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.