Flash Flood — Taos, New Mexico

2015-07-08 · near Red River, Taos, New Mexico

$5K

Property damage

Event narrative

Fire marshal reported a tremendous sudden burst of torrential rainfall. A fast flowing mudslide surged over highway 38 between mile markers 8 and 9. A video of the event was posted to FB.

Wider weather episode

An unseasonably deep upper level low over the Great Basin forced a strong jet streak over New Mexico while the monsoon moisture plume was centered from southwest to northeast over the state. This moist and unstable pattern allowed for the development of several severe thunderstorms with large hail and torrential rainfall. A slow-moving storm near Santa Fe dumped quarter to ping pong ball size hail in Santa Fe. Flash flooding was observed as well. A storm around Isleta Pueblo produced quarter size hail. A mudslide was captured on video near Red River. Highway 38 was closed until the flow subsided and the mud was cleared.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.7065, -105.4670)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 577736. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.