Tornado and Flash Flooding in New Mexico, September 10 to 17, 2013

The initial round of intense rainfall on the 10th and 11th flooded numerous roadways and homes then subsequent heavy rainfall through the 15th created extreme flooding. County emergency management indicated a total of at least 16 roads were washed out and damaged severely across the county, including NM 408 and CR 91 between Escondida and Lemitar, and NM 1 between San Antonio and Luis Lopez. The Rio Puerco and Rio Grande rivers both flooded into nearby low lying areas and threatened nearby communities. A breach in a levee on the Rio Puerco flooded several homes and the community of San Francisco was evacuated. The US 380 bridge east of San Antonio was overtopped. US 60 was closed at mile marker 166.

Widespread flash flooding was observed in Farmington. Numerous crashes and stalled vehicles were stranded in flood waters. Several flooded and damaged drainage systems along Peace Valley Road, Hubbard Road, East Navajo Street, Main Street, Butler Street, Apache Street, and San Juan Boulevard caused widespread flooding of parking lots, low lying areas, homes and businesses. Mud, rocks, and debris flows were reported at Webb Chevrolet, KFC, Si Senors, Taco Bell, and Park-n-Sell.

A 50-yard section of NM 36 was washed over and partially destroyed from several feet of water, rocks, mud, and debris.

Water flooded several homes near San Antonio. Several roads around San Antonio were still under water as of noon on the 12th and then finally cleaned up by around 630 pm on the 12th.

State EOC Situation Report #2 on the 11th indicated NM 118 was closed on the 10th due to flood waters, mud, and debris over roadway.

Franklin Street flooded and closed due to high water. Other streets in western Socorro also flooded out from heavy rainfall.

State EOC Situation Report #2 on the 11th detailed numerous dirt and gravel roads across Valencia County were impassible and sandbags were requested due to heavy rainfall on the 10th.

Tropical funnel cloud touched ground for a couple minutes near Shiprock. Location and time determined from radar imagery and photos sent from print media and a NWS family relative. No damage reported.

The Rio Hondo at Diamond A Ranch experienced its 5th highest crest of 29,500 cfs around 4am on the 11th. This led to the 2nd highest crest at Roswell of 1,920 cfs around 815pm on the 12th. The US 70 relief route southwest of Roswell was flooded by the Rio Hondo as a result. Cars were stranded and water rescued took place.

Law enforcement and emergency management reported major flooding along El Rito Creek and at Power Dam. NM 91 was closed between mile markers 0 and 9. The El Rito Creek South Bridge was nearly topped. Large chunks of concrete from Power Dam were destroyed. A railroad bridge over El Rito Creek was compromised and engineers closed rail traffic to assess the bridge. Extensive damage was done to nearby Park Lake Trail. A bridge carrying a water line to Puerto de Luna was extensively damaged. Low lying areas near Brush Dam were flooded in Puerto de Luna. Extensive road damaged has occurred to city and county roads.

State EOC Situation Report #2 on the 11th indicated numerous low water crossings were flooded across Roswell with minor flooding in the city. Water levels began receding by the afternoon.

State EOC Situation Report #2 reported Blue Hole Road closed due to flooding. The Santa Rosa golf course and a pump house flooded with extensive damage. Entire golf course was under water. Flooding was also reported near the KSRR transmitter.

NM 419 closed from mile markers 0 to 47 due to flooding of roadway.

Three feet of standing water in Portales along 1st and 2nd Streets from Avenue C to K.

Portions of NM 246 washed out between mile markers 36 and 61.

Numerous roads flooded in downtown Portales.

Roads became impassible and a vehicle was stranded near a ranch. A barn and nearby building were flooded. Flash flooding turned into areal flooding as rain continued and water remained over roadways through the following morning. Low lying areas throughout the area ended up flooded.

Heavy rainfall that produced flash flooding continued overnight resulting in further flooding of roadways and low lying areas near Estancia. A barn, nearby building, and numerous roadways were impassable through the morning of the 12th.

Widespead heavy rainfall and flooding around Santa Rosa led to a near record crest on the Pecos River at Puerto de Luna. The crest peaked at 35,800 cfs at 615pm on the 11th, which is the 2nd highest crest ever observed going back to 1942. The gauge was above flood stage for several hours.

Several vehicles rescued along US 70 relief route due to Rio Hondo flooding. Water rescue also occurred along NM 246 near Berrendo Creek. River Road was closed along the Pecos River and a small neighborhood was evacuated with 3 houses flooded. A Red Cross shelter was opened and 2 people stayed overnight.

NM 294 closed due to flooding.

NM 85 and 90 were initially flooded with 5,000 cfs flow through the area on the 12th then extremely heavy rainfall created severe flooding through the 13th. Numerous roads were flooded and partially destroyed. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument was isolated. Evacuations took place in Cochiti Pueblo.

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 Dwelling Monument with significant flooding. Access to the monument and visitor center was closed. All campgrounds in the region were closed, including Lower and Upper Scorpion.

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

A bridge was washed away northeast of Maxwell near county road A-7 with severe bank erosion along the Canadian River. A large culvert was washed out south of the Raton Crews Airport along county road A-6. Severe bank erosion also occurred in this area of the Canadian River and Tinaja Creek. Numerous other culvert and road wash outs were reported across the county.

State EOC Situation Report #6 indicated heavy rainfall produced flooding around many areas of Tohajiilee, including a school, homes, roads, and the fire department. One lane of Interstate 40 was closed due to a sink hole at the Tohajiilee exit. An ICP was set up to assist with flooding situation.

Water over roadways and several bridges along NM 502 and 30. One car was stuck in the water.

Worst flash flood event ever recorded at Bandelier National Monument as the creek near the visitor center crested to 11 feet at 830am. Several points of infrastructure were damaged. The entrance road to the park was undermined and nearly destroyed.

Northern Boulevard and 10th washed out by nearby arroyo. Southern washed over with significant amounts of water as well. Damage to roadway occurred near Hondo Avenue. Unser and 10th also washed out due to high water from arroyo. 12 families evacuated homes due to high water in nearby arroyo. Heavy flows in these arroyos led to flooding downstream into the Harvey Jones Canal in Corrales where the Harvey Jones Bridge was overtopped.

Mudslide reported along NM 502 at Totavi gas station. Power lines also downed in the area. Significant flooding along NM 30.

State EOC Situation Report #10 indicated that initial flooding over the area became severe as the San Francisco Dam spillway was compromised. Water Tank Dam was full and clogged. Many village roads were damaged. Approximately 40 occupants were sheltered at the San Felipe Elementary School.

Pecos River out of its banks below Acme with near record crest. The crest of 21,800 cfs at 815pm on the 12th was the 3rd highest crest ever observed dating back to 1954. The river remained above flood stage for several hours and above action stage for several days. Farmlands flooded. Evacuations took place along River Road. NM 249 closed around 924am on the 13th between mile markers 2 and 5 per NM DOT. The Pecos River at Lake Arthur reached action stage for several hours with a peak flow of 11,781 cfs (17.85 feet) at 1115am on the 13th. The combination of heavy rainfall and high flows along the river continued near action stage flows through the 17th. 8 to 15 homes were reported damaged from flooding between Dexter and Lake Arthur. Numerous roads closed into Dexter.

The Jemez River was out of its banks along NM 4 near San Ysidro damaging a major fiber line and water supply infrastructure. Several homes were flooded with up to 3 feet of water. NM 4 was also damaged.

NM 434 was closed from mile markers 17 to 24 due to flooding over roadway. NM EOC Situation Report #6 indicated severe flooding throughout the county with numerous county roads washed out.

Major flooding observed along Gallina Creek near Las Vegas. Evacuations ordered for areas along the river from Montezuma east to Las Vegas. A major breach occurred on the Storrie Lake Diversion Channel. An estimated one year supply of water storage was lost for drinking water due to the breach. A Red Cross shelter was established at Robertson High School. An elderly couple was rescued overnight by the National Guard from the Pine Camp area. NM 283 was closed west of Las Vegas. A sink hole was reported near the South Diversion River Crossing Catwalk with damage to waste water components. A couple of homes and numerous vehicles and roadways were damaged. A bridge on CR-A1 near Sapello was closed due to high water. A total of 1,040 structures were damaged in this multi-day event.

State EOC Situation Report #7 and NM DOT indicated NM 68 was closed due to rockslides and debris flow over the roadway.

Heavy rainfall over the Rio Bonito watershed led to a 23 feet rise in Bonito Lake. The lake rose from 22 feet below the spillway to 8 inches over the spillway. Emergency operations were in place due to significant concerns regarding a breach of the spillway. No breach occurred. Eagle Creek was out of banks and flooded a nearby playground along NM 48.

The Pecos River breached its banks in Pecos Canyon. NM 63 north of Pecos was closed due to flooding. A small creek behind residences rose fast and forced evacuations of nearby residences.

State EOC Situation Reports detailed that 40 families were evacuated from Highland Meadow neighborhood due to flooding. A culvert 25' wide by 10' deep was completely destroyed and National Guard assisted recovery effort using mobile bridge. Another 20 families affected. A total of 7 structures were damaged in the mult-day event.

Intense rainfall caused evacuations due to high water in Crownpoint. Longer duration rainfall after this event lead to widespread areal flooding through the 14th.

All roads washed out in the community of Sile. Road in Elk Run Estates washed out near La Cueva. 100 residences in La Cueva reported loss of telephone service.

NM 412 closed between Prewitt and Bluewater Lake. Debris reported over NM 612.

State EOC Situation Report #9 indicated that N 562 Road in Fruitland was completely undermined and affected nearly 300 residences. Area completely isolated. A 72 inch pipe was damaged by flood water. N 36 highway also damaged.

US 491 closed between Twin Lakes and Naschitti due to flooding. CR 5 bridge closed in Superman Canyon due to flooding from arroyo.

Areal flooding developed after flash flooding with continued heavy rainfall. Twenty five to 30 homes were partially under water around Bluewater Village. Milan endangered by flooding with 4 residents displaced to shelter. The Grants West Centurlink box was flooded and cell phone services were temporarily out in the area. CR 23A closed due to high water. A total of 50 structures were damaged from this multi-day event.

State EOC Situation Report #10 indicated heavy rainfall and flooding continued through the night on the 14th. 30 to 40 families were evacuated around Crownpoint as dams protecting Smith Lake and Old PHS were at risk of being compromised. A shelter was established.

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.

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 elk fence was washed away and nearby fields flooded at Alma.

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 for 2 stranded hikers.

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.

Water and debris flooding over Interstate 25 near Algodones.

Mud and water washed into several homes in San Felipe Pueblo.

One foot of mud and rocks covered portions of the San Felipe Casino gas station parking lot. A 2 feet section of the lot west of the casino was undermined exposing a large conduit.

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 sunrise. A flash flood emergency was posted for Glenwood. A levee at Circle Drive in Glenwood was breached flooding 16 residences with about 3 feet of water. A large metal barn was moved into the river bed.

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 the canyon was washed out. A 30 feet section of a concrete girder bridge was destroyed. The campground was completely covered in silt with minor damage. Trails within the park were destroyed.

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 USFS delivered MREs, water, and sanitary supplies to Mogollon by foot and with 2 mules. An 83-year old Arizona man was found dead 8 miles downstream from where his vehicle was located and destroyed in Mineral Creek.

A mud slide up to 3 feet deep flowed into yards, homes, and a street near the Petroglyph National Monument Open Space.

Water entered several business and homes in Bernalillo. Cars were stuck in water. NM 313 was impassible between Bernalillo and Tramway Road due to water and mud over highway. All Sandia Pueblo holding ponds and the Bernalillo Canal were at capacity. A water line break created a sink hole in a subdivision in Bernalillo.