Heavy Rain — Bernalillo, New Mexico

2020-07-31 · near Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico

Event narrative

Two men occupying the Embudo Arroyo were swept away from flood waters that occurred with a severe thunderstorm over the Albuquerque east side. One man was rescued with help from bystanders. The other man was unable to be rescued and was found dead in the urban catchment pond downstream later in the evening.

Wider weather episode

The center of upper level high pressure continued moving west into Arizona by the end of July while moisture was recharged across the state behind a strong back door cold front. North to south steering flow with abundant shear and instability led to the development of numerous showers and storms during the early to mid afternoon hours. Several of these storms were strong to severe as they progressed southward across the eastern plains and through the Rio Grande Valley. A storm near Las Vegas dumped hail up to the size of golf balls with very heavy rainfall and strong winds. Another storm moved south across Interstate 25 near San Jose and produced quarter size hail. Storms that developed over the Jemez Mountains moved south through Cochiti Pueblo with quarter size hail before blasting through the Albuquerque metro area with damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Ruidoso also experienced severe weather with quarter size hail and heavy rainfall. Minor flooding was reported in many areas as well. Swift runoff into the urban drainage system in Albuquerque washed two individuals down the Embudo Arroyo. One individual was rescued however the other died in the flood waters.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.1166, -106.6122)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 898441. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.