Flash Flood — Sandoval, New Mexico

2021-07-26 · near Placitas, Sandoval, New Mexico

Event narrative

An estimated 2.5 to 3.5 inches of heavy rainfall in under an hour caused flash flooding in Placitas. Several roads and drainage ditches in the Placitas area were flooded with mud and debris also covering roadways. Damages are estimated.

Wider weather episode

July 26, 2021 was yet another active monsoon day across northern and central New Mexico. With an area of high pressure over northern Colorado, moist southeasterly flow continued across much of New Mexico which resulted in another round of numerous afternoon thunderstorms. Thunderstorms developed first over the high terrain areas before coverage increased across lower elevations. The combination of heavy rainfall and slow steering flow resulted in a few reports of flash flooding across central New Mexico. The most notable event occurred over the Ute Park burn scar where the Colfax County emergency manager relayed reports of damage to multiple roadways in the area as well as numerous residents stranded in their homes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.3215, -106.4427)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 962931. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.