Flash Flood — Catron, New Mexico

2021-07-23 · near Apache Crk Jewett Ar, Catron, New Mexico

Event narrative

Heavy rain resulted in significant flash flooding near Apache Creek. The fast moving flood waters rushed through at least one home and overtopped an earthen dam. A metal tank was swept downstream, and a truck in the Apache Creek was submerged in the water. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving low pressure system continued to track westward across southern New Mexico on July 23, 2021, as an area of high pressure remained centered over the Four Corners. An abundant amount of atmospheric moisture remained in place across central and western New Mexico, and with needed lift from the low pressure system, numerous thunderstorms impacted the area. Soils across western New Mexico were saturated from the previous day's convection which exacerbated flash flooding conditions as torrential rainfall fell across the area. Rainfall estimates of two to four inches prompted numerous Flash Flood Warnings across western and central New Mexico. Severe weather was also a concern with baseball size hail reported in Torrance County and a landspout tornado even reported on the westside of Albuquerque.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.9599, -108.6921)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 962405. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.