Flash Flood — Rio Arriba, New Mexico

2015-07-07 · near Canones, Rio Arriba, New Mexico

Event narrative

Flash flood wave moved down Yeso Rito arroyo in less than 30 minutes, resulting in significant damage at Ghost Ranch. At least three older structures and a ropes course were completely destroyed. One newer studio structure was seriously damaged. Trees were snapped in half and mud filled several other structures. Damage has been estimated between 500,000 and 1 million dollars. No injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

Monsoon moisture firmly in place over New Mexico focused another round of very heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms. Storms with torrential rainfall and strong winds erupted over the state. A storm that developed around Shiprock moved northeast over La Plata and produced flash flooding along U.S. 170. Law enforcement reported that 12 inches of water was flowing over the roadway. A thunderstorm that moved southeast along two colliding outflow boundaries near Edgewood produced a brief tornado. A metal barn for storing hay was tossed a quarter mile and slammed into a house where a woman was injured by flying glass. This same storm also produced quarter size hail.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.3300, -106.4683)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 577737. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.