Flash Flood — Catron, New Mexico

2021-07-22 · near Horse Spgs, Catron, New Mexico

Event narrative

The Catron County emergency manager reported that heavy rain in Old Horse Springs resulted in flash flooding across the area. A local resident measured 3.5 inches of rain in just 45 minutes. This resulted in multiple barns and homes in the area flooded as well as the local fire department. The emergency manager also reported that several county roads had been washed away. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

An area of high pressure remained centered over the Four Corners while a slow-moving low pressure system tracked westward across southern New Mexico on July 22, 2021. Above normal atmospheric moisture values remained across much of central and western New Mexico which helped to set the stage for an active monsoon day across the area. The risk for flash flooding was highest across western New Mexico where steering flow was slow and the potential for training storms was high. Heavy thunderstorms in southern Catron County produced heavy rainfall in the area. Flash flooding was reported in Old Horse Springs where multiple homes were flooded and county roads were washed out.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.9693, -108.3307)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 962286. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.