Flash Flood in De Baca County, New Mexico

Heavy rain and flash flooding forced the closure of New Mexico State Road 20 from mile marker 0 to mile marker 45. No damages were known.

The area of high pressure that had been centered over the Four Corners shifted slightly westward on July 6, 2021. Meanwhile, low level return flow continued which aided in keeping moisture values high across New Mexico. With sufficient instability and shear, another crop of thunderstorms developed first across the high terrain before becoming more widespread across lower elevations. With numerous days of widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, soils across northern and central New Mexico were saturated and primed for more flash flooding. Numerous flash floods were reported across the area with the most significant flash flooding occurring in the Belen area and farther south into Socorro County. Several inches of rainfall breached a canal in Belen which flooded low-water crossings as well as numerous homes and businesses. A State of Emergency was declared in Valencia County due to the flooding.