Catron storm history

Portions of Bursum Road to the community of Mogollon was completely destroyed by flash flooding. All homes and business along the creek in Mogollon were flooded and damaged, many severely. Several vehicles were carried away, destroyed, and left in the bottom of the creek bed. The…

Harry Beggerly, 61, died near Quemado Lake from a lightning strike on the afternoon of August 30, while seeking shelter from the rain under a 30 foot tall tree.

Severe thunderstorm winds destroyed two out-buildings, one large wooden barn and one steel metal shop in Quemado, NM. The steel building ended up landing on top of the neighbors residence and caused significant damage to the structure. There were no reports of injuries.

An estimated 60 mph thunderstorm gust was observed near Red Hill likely from strong downburst winds.

A mesonet station near Old Horse Springs measured a 64 mph wind gust from strong downburst winds from nearby shower activity.

Heavy rain in the Gila Cliff Dwellings flooded many creeks, canyons, and trails in the National Monument. Water overtook a bridge as debris clogged the canyon underneath which stranded visitors for a short time. Damages are estimated.

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.

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 d…

Torrential rainfall forced mud, rocks, and debris across roadways. Law enforcement reported damage to dirt roads with significant erosion in the area. Damage amounts are a very rough estimate.

Hail up to the size of pennies a few miles northwest of Datil.

Nickel size hail in Datil.

Local media shared imagery of a funnel cloud near Datil on Twitter.

Whitewater Creek flooded Catwalk Road and U.S. Highway 180 at Glenwood. Road closed.

Various observers, automated gages, and broadcast media indicated heavy rainfall with significant impacts around southwest Catron County. Rainfall amounts averaged 2 to 3 inches in the Mogollon Mountains and Gila River watershed. Low water crossings near the Catwalk were flooded …

Pleasanton recorded 3.50 inches of rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Newton. No significant flooding was reported in nearby creeks and streams.

The Hummingbird Saddle rain gage reported 3.93 inches of rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Newton. No flooding was observed.

High water forced rocks, mud, and debris over Catwalk Road near Glenwood. Mineral Creek road was washed out east of Alma.

Torrential rainfall created flash flooding within Bell and Kennedy canyons west of the Beaverhead Ranger Station. Roads in the area were damaged due to high flows in ditches and arroyos. Low lying areas filled up with significant amounts of standing water. The ranger station repo…

Penny size hail in Pleasanton.

Funnel cloud spotted with weak thunderstorm 5 to 6 miles southeast of Datil.

Pea to quarter size hail.

Heavy rain within the headwaters of Whitewater Creek produced high flows along Catwalk Road. Several feet of rocks, mud, and debris were observed within flood-prone low water crossings.

At least two roads were washed out near Beaverhead from heavy rainfall. Damage estimated for repairs.

State EOC Situation Report #9 detailed that the San Francisco River breached its banks and levees at Reserve, Elm, and Glenwood. Power outages occurred in the community of Wild Horse. 18 hunters were evacuated and another 18 hunters were stranded near the San Francisco River. An …

Rapid water rise, 5 to 8 feet, with debris in the Middle Fork Gila River near the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center. Observer never witnessed anything like it and was concerned flood would wipe out USGS gauge. Bridge did not get washed out. Search and rescue efforts initiated f…

Mineral Creek measured a peak flow of 868 cfs (4.39 feet) at 145am on the 15th which was 7 to 8 times higher than any other flow ever observed. US 180 closed due to water from Mineral Creek flooding roadway. NM 159 closed east of US 180 as well. Water in several homes in Alma.

State EOC Situation Report #10 detailed catastrophic flooding in the Glenwood area. Whitewater Creek topped the US 180 bridge at Pleasanton. The San Francisco River at Glenwood rose to its 2nd highest crest ever observed at 29,900 cfs (18.7 feet) at 2am then fell sharply around s…

The Catwalk area northeast of Glenwood was completely destroyed. Whitewater Creek at the Catwalk measured a peak flow of 16,100 cfs (19.07 feet) at 1115pm on the 14th which was 5 to 6 times higher than any other flow ever observed. The suspended portion of the Catwalk area within…

Flooding along Tularosa Creek and nearby arroyos lead to flooding on Tularosa River.

Numerous roads washed out across northeastern Catron County including York Ranch Road.

A creek overflowed its banks into nearby ranch buildings northeast of Pietown.

State EOC Situation Reports detailed flooding along the Gila River that caused closures of FR 614 into Lower Forks Campground and FR 528 into Grapevine Campground. Additional long duration heavy rainfall in the area forced the Gila River to rise 15 feet near the Gila Cliff Dwelli…

Runoff resulted in flash flooding along Whitewater Creek with a report of 'a roaring' sound near the Deer Park drainage channel. Black and silty water was reported along with considerable debris across NM 174. Up to 14 inches of water was flowing over the highway at the upper cro…

Bursum Road closed from near Mogollon east about 10 miles due to debris and flooding over the roadway.

Spotter one-half mile west of Luna reported intense heavy rainfall with ditches around home overflowing. Reported they were trapped at home and unable to use road to leave. Power outage also reported.

Flash flooding in Vigil Canyon near Alma was reported by two rangers that were trapped and nearly carried away by flood waters. Flood debris was reported 15 feet in depth within the canyon. Some elk fences were destroyed and several mobile home trailers were briefly endangered.

Photos received by local district ranger showed flooding across the Whitewater-Baldy burn scar in Deer Park, Little Whitewater, and Whitewater Creeks.

Flooding occurred in Hail Canyon along Forest Road 141 on the northern periphery of the Whitewater-Baldy burn scar. Rainfall amounts ranging from 0.25 - 0.75 were reported across the entirety of the burn scar. Pictures showed significant amounts of large rocks and sediment were d…

Morning rainfall that ranged from 1 to nearly 3 in some areas around the burn scar caused heavy flows in creeks in the area which in turn deposited debris on roads. Roads were closed until the Department of Transportation could clear them.

Bursum Rd - NM 159 was closed due to flooding and burn scar debris from mile marker 2-25. Per reports, Silver Creek flooded Mogollon and blew out Bursum Rd. in several locations near Mogollon. Whitewater Creek also flooded and brought down a significant amount of ash. The Catwalk…

Eight feet flow of water within Silver Creek washed debris over Highway 159 and surrounding bridges and yards.

An unnamed arroyo feeding into the San Francisco River became flooded near the Luna Post Office. The water was at least four feet high and washed away the porch steps of a nearby mobile home. The headwaters of the arroyo are located northwest of town, within the Wallow Fire burn …

Over 2 inches of rain combined with some snow melt resulted in flooding along State Highway 15. The approach to the West Fork Bridge was washed out when the West Fork of the Gila River rose out of its banks. State Highway 15 was closed between the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Cen…

State road 601 was closed due to flooding from 2 to 5 miles northwest of U.S. 60.