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Otero County, New Mexico
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1957 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
18
Tornado reports
123
Hail reports
70
Floods since 1996
315
All events
0
Deaths
$7.2M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Otero County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 18 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
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Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Hail from quarter to golf ball size, with occasional hail stones the size of tennis balls accumulated to about 3 inches in the Tularosa area. The hail was driven by wind gusts up to 80 mph, and broke windows, damaged roofs and sidings to more than 500 homes in Tularosa.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Malone Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range recorded a peak gust of 62 mph.
Hail Hail
A public report of hail up to 1.50 northwest of Mayhill.
Hail Hail
A report from the public was received of hail up to 3.5 inches in Mayhill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Apache Mesonet site recorded a peak gust of 58 mph.
Hail Hail
One inch hail reported 4 miles east of Tularosa.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Ambient Weather Network station at Casa Cats Purr.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The White Sands Missile Range site at Tula recorded a peak gust of 78 mph. Another site at the Tula Airstrip recorded a peak gust of 73 mph but could have been higher as comms were cut-off prior to storms arrival. The tower was bent by winds about 30 degrees.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Mescalero Emergency Manager reported heavy flows coming out of Bear Canyon towards US 70 due to heavy rain on the Salt Burn scar.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The public reported high water flowing out of Bear Canyon and flooding of the Cherokee Mobile Village and along US 70 going into Ruidoso Downs.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Mescalero EM reported burn scar flooding from the Seven Springs fire.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Two large trees were uprooted. Radar estimated winds of 55-60 knots.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A half inch to 1 inch of rain fell on the Salt Burn Scar and produced flash flooding out of Bear Canyon onto Highway 70.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Indian Road 10 was closed due to flash flooding and necessary evacuations.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flash flooding started near Bent with arroyo flooding on Mauer Drive. An arroyo bank was cut with edge of embankment moved 14 feet closer to a home. There was also culvert and road damage along Round Mountain Road. Further west, flash flooding was noted along Tularosa Creek above…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flash flooding was reported on Tularosa Creek above Bridal Falls. Debris-laden flow flooded backyards. Crosscreek Road low water crossing dangerously flooded.
Hail Hail
Hail up to the size of quarters and as deep as 4 inches in areas was reported around Cloudcroft. Snow plows were called in order to remove the hail from roads.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flash flooding was reported with 6 inches of water coming out of Soldier Canyon onto Highway 70 and into Mescalero.
Hail Hail
An NWS Student Volunteer reported hail up to one inch in diameter east of Cloudcroft.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Rita Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range recorded a peak gust of 61 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Tula Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range recorded a peak gust of 62 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A gust to 63 mph was recorded at the Malone Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
White Sands Missile Range personnel reported flooding around the intersection of Range Route 6 and 9 with roads impassable in places.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Orogrande Gate on the White Sands Missile Range received 4.62 of rain and caused some portions of the road from Highway 54 to get flooded.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Holloman Air Force Base AWOS recorded a peak gust of 62 mph out of a decaying thunderstorm which was also accompanied by a minor heat burst.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The White Sands Missile Range station 28(Tula) reported a peak wind gust of 66 mph. Station 25, also on the missile range reported a peak gust of 58 mph.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Significant water flow was reported along US 70 near the Casino Apache Travel Center.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Ruidoso Police Department reported fast moving water flowing along the sides of Highway 70.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A peak gust of 58 mph was reported at a Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A peak gust of 60 mph was recorded about 10 miles east-northeast of the Main Post.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
An observer in La Luz recorded 3.33 inches of rain on the afternoon of the 23rd. Additional heavy rain reports included 2.43 inches in Cloudcroft, 2.35 inches about a mile northwest of High Rolls and 2.14 inches in High Rolls. Several other locations in and around the Sacramento …
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Rock slide reported on Highway 82 just west of Mountain Park near the Tunnel Vista observation site due to the heavy rain that fell the previous afternoon/evening. The road remained closed for approximately 2 days.
Hail Hail
A trained spotter near Silver Lake reported hail up to the size of pennies.
Hail Hail
One inch hail reported just northeast of Mescalero.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A spotter posted a photo of their property flooding with an estimated water depth of 6 inches at it's crest.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Recent heavy rain and an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain brought debris flow down from the Soldier Canyon burn scar. The Emergency Manager reported Round Mountain Road was closed from 4 feet of mud and debris.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A spotter reported torrential downpour with a lot of fast moving running water near their residence. The flood waters damaged a few of their fences.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A picture from Alamogordo showed 2.75 inches of rain fallen during the day.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Highway 70 was closed between mile markers 242 and 247. Heavy debris was across the road near mile marker 242. Rainfall amounts in excess of 1 inch in an hour were recorded near the burn scar.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A total of 2.25 inches of rain fell at the Newcalero Tribal Fish Hatchery in about an hour and a half. Flash flooding was subsequently reported between mile markers 247 and 252 on Highway 70 with 3 feet of water and debris crossing the road. In addition to the highway flooding, s…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A report of at least a foot of running water and debris over the road near the intersection of North Florida Ave and North Scenic Drive on the north side of Alamogordo.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Landscaping and trash cans washed away in front of the Space Museum due to high water flows. The radar estimated 1.5 to 2 inches of rainfall upstream of the museum over Horse Ridge.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
The Otero County Emergency Manager reported up to 4 inches of rain had fallen in less than 2 hours at the Waterfall Lodge and along Cox Canyon Highway.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Highway 130 was closed due to widespread flash flooding west of Weed.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported at the ABCI Mesonet station on the White Sands Missile Range.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported at Tula Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Recorded at the Salt Creek Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Recorded at the Holloman Air Force Base AWOS.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Reported by LC-32 Mesonet site on the White Sands Missile Range.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 20 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 15 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 | 1 |
| 2019 | 12 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | 9 | 0 |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 1 |
| 2014 | 9 | 0 |
| 2013 | 12 | 0 |
| 2012 | 17 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 12 | 0 |
| 2008 | 11 | 0 |
| 2007 | 13 | 3 |
| 2006 | 17 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 11 | 1 |
| 2002 | 4 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 5 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 | 1 |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 |
| 1981 | 4 | 2 |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 3 | 0 |
| 1972 | 1 | 1 |
| 1969 | 4 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 4 | 0 |
| 1965 | 4 | 0 |
| 1962 | 1 | 0 |
| 1961 | 1 | 0 |
| 1960 | 2 | 0 |
| 1959 | 5 | 2 |
| 1957 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Otero County, measured to its path.
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