Flash Flood — Mckinley, New Mexico

2016-09-02 · near Tohatchi, Mckinley, New Mexico

Event narrative

Father and daughter killed after entering a flooded arroyo.

Wider weather episode

A strong thunderstorm developed over the Chuska Mountains and moved northeast toward Tohatchi shortly before sunset. Locally heavy rainfall associated with this storm quickly filled arroyos in the area. Aschley Levier, 21, jumped into the arroyo to save a family dog that had fallen into the water. Witnesses say she had trouble with the strength of the water and her father, Jay Levier, 46, jumped in to save her. More than 100 volunteers searched for them through the overnight. Eventually they found the bodies of Aschley and Jay. The dog was found alive.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.8559, -108.7641)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 648972. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.