Flash Flood — Sierra, New Mexico

2020-07-26 · near Williamsburg, Sierra, New Mexico

$2.4M

Property damage

Event narrative

There was extensive flash flooding of roads and buildings around Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg. Near-zero visibility was reported in the heavy rain along with pea sized hail. A trained spotter reported 4.10 inches of rain in about one hour. A car was washed off the road. Multiple homes were evacuated around the two towns. The Rio Grande was threatening to exit its banks, therefore causing Elephant Butte Dam having to be closed.

Wider weather episode

Modest low level moisture and good mid level moisture combined with an area of surface convergence to produce significant rainfall across central Sierra County. Weak upper level flow kept storm motion very slow which allowed for over 4 inches of rain to fall in an hour across Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.1451, -107.2798)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 913279. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.