Lincoln storm history

Extremely heavy rainfall from slow moving thunderstorms resulted in catastrophic flash flooding and destructive debris flows on and downstream of the South Fork burn scar. Debris flows and a record rise on the Rio Ruidoso from 1.43 feet to 20.24 feet in approximately 30 minutes o…

Heavy rainfall in the Hondo area caused widespread flooding of roads and low water crossings. The Lincoln County emergency manager estimated that the Rio Ruidoso rose 4 to 6 feet quickly while Alamo Canyon Road south of U.S. Highway 70 was completely inundated. One individual was…

Kalina Jinzo, a 40-year mother of three, was struck by lightning and killed while traveling from Albuquerque to Ruidoso on a motorcycle on the 15th. Her husband was also struck but his injuries were not life threatening. The woman died several days later in a Lubbock hospital aro…

Widespread, serious flooding occurred from the upper canyon of the Rio Ruidoso downstream through the towns of Ruidoso, Hollywood and Ruidoso Downs as far east as Fox Caves. Flooding also occurred along the Rio Bonito from the dam at Bonito Lake downstream to State Road 48. Flood…

Heavy rains over the recent South Fork burn area totaling up to 1.48 inches at the Cow Mountain RAWS and estimate by radar to have surpassed 2 inches caused flash flooding heavy debris flows along the Rio Ruidoso. This torrent impacted several bridges and water crossings includin…

Rainfall over the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding that washed out a low water crossing along Maple Drive through Brady Canyon.

The White Sands Missile Range mesonet station at Phillips Hill measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph from a severe thunderstorm. The station went offline 5 to 10 minutes later so the end time is estimated based on radar and surrounding observations.

Heavy rain from thunderstorms over the South Fork burn scar produced water and debris in Cedar Creek flowing over the bridge at Brady Canyon Road and Ponderosa Drive before moving across Mechem Drive at Brady Canyon Road, shutting down Mechem Drive. Water and debris in Cedar Cree…

Runoff from heavy rainfall on the Salt burn scar resulted in about 1 foot of rushing water flooding grassland at the base of Bear Canyon, according to video from the Ruidoso emergency manager.

Slow moving thunderstorms developed over the McBride burn scar back building east over the South Fork burn scar. Heavy rainfall rates first resulted in flash flooding on the McBride burn scar with debris flow resulting in the closure of Gavilan Canyon Road between Hull Road and W…

Brief heavy rainfall over the South Fork burn scar resulted in some flowing water and debris flow across Gavilan Canyon Road.

Heavy rainfall on the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding and debris flow across roadways on and downstream of the burn scar. Debris flow was observed in multiple sections across Alpine Village Road, Cedar Creek Drive, Gavilan Canyon Road, Ash and Brady Canyon Road, W…

Heavy rainfall over the Blue 2 burn scar resulted in four reported locations of thick mud and debris washed out over the Bonito Lake Road up from Bonito Lake.

Heavy rain from thunderstorms on the Salt burn scar resulted in flash flooding near U.S. Highway 70 and Dunagan Trail.

Thunderstorms on the Ruidoso area burn scars resulted in flash flooding and debris flows on and downstream of the burn scars. Debris flow on Gavilan Canyon Road made the roadway impassible with a car containing an individual trapped in the debris. Thankfully, rescue crews were ab…

Heavy rain from thunderstorms resulted in fast moving water flowing over U.S Highway 380 in Lincoln.

Heavy rains over the South Fork and Salt burn scars resulted in burn scar flash flooding in the Ruidoso area, including near schools. Flash flooding was reported in multiple areas along roads and highways including White Mountain Dr., Hull Rd., Mechem Dr., Paradise Canyon Dr. jus…

Heavy rains resulted in high water levels along the Rio Bonito and along Sandesta Dr., entering homes in the area. Damage is an estimate.

Emergency Management reported 6 inches of moving water over U.S. Highway 54 south of Carrizozo.

Heavy rains over the South Fork and Salt burn scars in and around Ruidoso resulted in burn scar flash flooding. Flash flooding was reported along multiple portions of Cedar Creek and the Rio Ruidoso, including at Mechem Dr., Brady and Porr Roads, Country Club Road, Robin Road and…

A washed-out road stranded some personnel just west of Phillips Hill mesonet site (WSM30). It is unclear if folks were stranded all night or at the exact location of wash out.

Flash flooding was observed off the Salt burn scar out of Bear Canyon to areas near Elk Lodge along U.S. Highway 70.

Heavy rainfall fell over the South Fork burn scar near Ruidoso, with on gage measuring 2.14 inches. Flash flooding produced water over roadways and bridges along Cedar Creek at Mechem Drive, Cree Meadows Bridge and Drive, Innsbrook Drive, Starlite Road, White Mountain Drive, Gavi…

Moderate to heavy rain on the Ruidoso area burn scars resulted in some flash flooding and debris across and downstream of the burn scars, especially along the Rio Ruidoso and Cedar Creek. Water was reported overtopping Cedar Creek Drive near Sam Tobias Campground, Mechem Drive at…

Heavy rains over the South Fork and Salt burn scars near Ruidoso produced flash flooding. Water and debris overflowed U.S. Highway 70 at Sudderth Dr. and Ruidoso Downs, White Mountain Dr., Gavilan Canyon Rd. from Alto Cafe to Meander, and Alpine Village Road. The Cherokee Mobile …

Heavy rain over the South Fork burn scar resulted in floodwaters overtopping Main Road Bridge 2. A swiftwater rescue was also conducted at Sleepy Hollow Bridge.

Heavy rain from thunderstorms over the South Fork burn scar resulted in some minor water rises in the Rio Ruidoso with some water coming off the Upper Canyon and putting debris over Main Road by main bridge 2. Some debris on Cedar Creek Drive at Musket Ball Drive and near Mechem …

Severe thunderstorms in the area resulted in a peak wind gust of 62 mph at the Phillips Hill mesonet station on the White Sands Missile Range.

Severe thunderstorms in the area resulted in a brief wind gust of 61 mph at the Pole 616 mesonet station on the White Sands Missile Range.

Heavy rain on the South Fork burn scar from slow moving thunderstorms during the early afternoon hours resulted in another round of flash flooding across roads and neighborhoods on and downstream of the burn scar. This resulted in Main Road at bridge 2 to become impassable, and t…

Another round of thunderstorms on the South Fork and McBride burn scars resulted in flash flooding and debris flows on and downstream of the burn during the evening hours. Water and debris were observed flowing near Flume Canyon Drive, Mecham and White Mountain Drive, Warren Tuck…

Heavy rain from slow moving storms on the South Fork and McBride burn scars resulted in flash flooding on and downstream of the burn scars. Several roads along and crossing the Rio Ruidoso were closed due to the resultant flash flooding and debris flow in the river. This included…

Burn scar flash flooding off the Salt burn scar produced high water flows and culvert issues diverting water into the Cherokee Mobile home park that ran right up to people's homes.

Emergency management reports the closure of the bridge at Main Rd. and Fox Drive over the Rio Ruidoso from burn scar flash flooding off the South Fork burn scar.

Burn scar flash flooding off the South Fork and Salt burn scars that ran along the Rio Ruidoso from the Upper Canyon down to Hollywood. High water was reported over multiple roadways along the Rio Ruidoso, notably along Ebarb Dr. and Johnson Rd., Mechem Dr., Main Bridge 2, N. Gri…

Flash flooding off the Salt burn scar coming out of Bear Canyon. Swift water rescues conducted at the Cherokee Mobile Home Park, the Elevate Hotel, and for three vehicles at the Otero Federal Credit Union. Flash flooding reported at the Twin Spruce RV park, U.S. Highway 70 and Su…

Heavy rain on the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding and flowing water across Ebarb Dr. from Perk Canyon along with Brady Canyon Rd. and Ponderosa Dr. The flash flooding continued downstream with a dumpster floating down Rio St. and Grindstone Canyon Rd. and flowing …

Heavy rain from thunderstorms over the South Fork and Blue 2 burn scar resulted in flash flooding and debris flows of 6 to 8 inches on North Loop, Main Road, and Brady Canyon Road in the Upper Canyon area just west of downtown Ruidoso. Some flowing water and debris flow was also …

A trained spotter in rural eastern Lincoln County reported soft penny size hail.

A trained spotter observed nickel size hail from a strong thunderstorm.

A virga shower resulted in a brief 58 mph wind gust at Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.

Rainfall amounts superseding 0.60 inches resulted in burn scar flash flooding off the South Fork and McBride burn scars. Water over the road at Paradise Canyon Dr. and Hull Road resulted in a closure of the roadway. Water and debris was also reported over Friedenbloom Drive.

A fast moving storm developed over the South Fork burn scar, quickly moving east and producing 0.84 of rainfall over the McBride burn scar. Flash flooding was reported over roadways at University Dr. and Mechem Dr., Gavilan Canyon Rd. at several locations from Eagle Creek to east…

Locally heavy rainfall on the Salt burn scar resulted in flash flooding on secondary roads off U.S. Highway 70 and within the Cherokee Mobile Home Park. There were no reports of injuries, casualties or damage.

Brief heavy rainfall of 0.20 over the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding and road closures over portions of Brady Canyon Road from South Oak Drive to Mechem Drive.

Locally heavy rainfall estimated to be near two inches per hour over the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding along the Rio Ruidoso. Water over Bridge 2 on Main Road in Ruidoso was reported. Water over roadways was reported elsewhere in Ponderosa Heights, and near Alpi…

Storms over the South Fork burn scar resulted in flash flooding in the Upper Canyon neighborhood including Johnson Road and Main Road requiring the closing of Main Road at Bridge 1. High flows in the Rio Ruidoso eventually flowed downstream resulting in water flowing across North…