Flash Flood in McKinley County, New Mexico

Heavy rain caused State Road 491 north of Gallup to close due to flooding and debris. County Emergency Manager reported flash flooding caused 4 inches of mud and 8 inches of water to enter a juvenile center on the east side of town. He also noted that a few bridges were temporarily closed due to flood waters, along with numerous county roads suffering damage. Exact location and extent of damage was unknown. Allen Joe Begay of White Cone, Arizona was swept away in flood waters while in the Rio Puerco.

Abundant moisture allowed for thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon and evening on the 4th across western and central New Mexico. The combination of heavy rains from slow moving storms and antecedent moisture caused flash flooding to occur in parts of western New Mexico. Heavy rains near Gallup caused State Road 481 to close north of Gallup with flooding and debris on the roadway. It was also reported that 4 inches of mud plus 8 inches of water got into the juvenile center. Multiple bridges on the east side of Gallup were closed as arroyos were running higher than they have in 5 to 10 years, according to the emergency manager. Another area of heavy rain flooded a barn along with 2 pastures east of El Morro. Each flooding case subsided by the 5th. A 65 mph wind gust also occurred as a result of a wet microburst in south central New Mexico. Torrential rainfall likely resulted in localized flash flooding in other locations.