Flash Flood — Taos, New Mexico

2017-08-25 · near Red River, Taos, New Mexico

Event narrative

A mudslide closed state road 38 two miles west of Red River.

Wider weather episode

Several consecutive days of light to moderate rainfall over the steep terrain around Red River, New Mexico led to the second mudslide of the season along state road 38. Mining operations in the area exacerbate already loose and fine soils within several steep chutes that run down toward the highway. Rainfall estimates in the one quarter to one half inch range after several days of rainfall led to a mudslide roughly two miles west of Red River. The roadway was closed for a couple hours while crews cleared about a 50 yard wide section of mud and debris.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.7085, -105.4451)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 710124. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.