Dust Devil — Rio Arriba, New Mexico

2019-06-21 · near Hernandez, Rio Arriba, New Mexico

Event narrative

Twenty people were injured when a dust devil blew apart a large tent at a summer solstice event at the Guru Ram Das Puri retreat center west of Espanola. Damage amounts are a rough estimate for destruction of the event tent.

Wider weather episode

Multiple injuries were reported at the Guru Ram Das Puri retreat center just west of Espaola due to a large tent that blew down during a dust devil. The tent was occupied by over 300 people, according to Rio Arriba County Sheriff's deputies. Powerful winds from the dust devil ripped out posts and tore apart ropes used to secure the large tent. Multiple agencies responded, including units from Espaola Fire Rescue, Rio Arriba County, and Santa Fe County Fire Department. Multiple ambulances from Presbyterian hospital and a helicopter arrived quickly at the scene. About 20 patients were treated at Presbyterian Espanola Hospital for non life-threatening injuries. One of the patients was transported to Albuquerque for critical head injuries.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.0170, -106.2253)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 820908. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.