EF0 tornado in Union County, New Mexico

A thunderstorm near Moses produced a brief tornado as it tracked eastward. No damage was reported.

With a low pressure system centered to the southwest of New Mexico and an anomalously moist air mass being transported into the state, the stage was set for another round of showers and thunderstorms across the area on May 30, 2021. Thunderstorm activity formed by the late morning hours and intensified as the day progressed. Several reports of large hail was received across central and eastern New Mexico, and a few tornadoes and landspouts were observed across the plains. The anomalously moist air mass allowed for heavy rain to fall as well, especially across south central and southeast New Mexico which received rainfall totals of three to five inches in a very short period of time. This led to flash flooding in Lincoln and Chaves counties in which several water rescues had to be performed. Widespread damage was reported as well with multiple businesses, homes, and vehicles being inundated with flood waters. Tragically, one individual in southern Lincoln County drowned while trying to cross a flooded roadway in their vehicle.