Flash Flood — San Juan, New Mexico

2016-08-05 · near Turley, San Juan, New Mexico

Direct deaths

$50K

Property damage

Event narrative

Oil truck washed into Large Canyon at 5 mile bridge near CR7007. Body found outside of vehicle downstream.

Wider weather episode

The most significant burst of monsoon moisture and instability so far in the 2016 summer season impacted New Mexico on August 5th. Deep atmospheric moisture and strong afternoon heating led to widespread showers and thunderstorms with torrential rainfall. The heaviest rainfall impacted San Juan County where significant damage was reported around Shiprock. Several homes, vehicles, outbuildings, and roads were damaged from flood waters along Mesa Farm Road. An oil worker drove through flood waters along Largo Canyon Road southeast of Bloomfield and was killed. Gallup reported very heavy rainfall along with flooded roadways and stalled vehicles. Mud slides covered portions of U.S. Highway 84 north of Espanola. Even northeast New Mexico got in on the action with flooding reported across many area of Clayton.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.6591, -107.7212)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 642277. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.