Thunderstorm Wind in Valencia County, New Mexico

A severe storm which began near Alamo in northwest Socorro County swept northeast across central Valencia County with high winds and large hail. Heavy wind damage from sustained winds estimated near 80 mph overturned and destroyed about 15 mobile homes and caused damage to about 150 other homes with many small outbuildings and sheds blown down in the area from Los Chavez to Tome Hill between Los Lunas and Belen. Large hail also knocked out numerous windows and broke windshields. Only two relatively minor injuries were reported in the hardest hit area. Residents had 40-60 minutes advanced warning and school officials successfully evacuated numerous portable classroom buildings without incident or injury to students before high winds struck.