Flood in New Mexico
Every flood event the National Weather Service has filed in New Mexico, year by year, with the most significant episodes. Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
The most significant on the map
The most significant flood episodes in New Mexico.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 129
- Deaths
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Damage
- $36 million
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in New Mexico, October 18 to 22, 2024An anomalously strong upper low from the west over AZ resulted in shower activity across western NM on October 18th resulting in some high wind gusts across parts of western and central NM.
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in New Mexico, September 10 to 17, 2013A stationary upper level low pressure system that settled into the Great Basin around the 10th provided a steady stream of near record subtropical atmospheric moisture over New Mexico.
- Flood in New Mexico, July 26 to 28, 2008Former hurricane Dolly brought tropical moisture into New Mexico, dumping up to seven inches of rain around Ruidoso. This caused the Rio Ruidoso and Rio Bonito to rise well above flood stage and resulted in widespread and serious flooding around Ruidoso.
- Flash Flood and Flooding in New Mexico, June 29 to 30, 2021An upper level low pressure was to the west of the region which aided in atmospheric lift over Southeast New Mexico. Convergence was also over the area which allowed for more lift. An abundance of moisture was in place.
- Flooding in New Mexico, May 23 to 31, 2005Some of the highest water levels in years were recorded on northern New Mexico streams and rivers as near record temperatures sent a wave of snow melt runoff into the watersheds of the upper Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers while heavy snowmelt from Colorado filled the Animas River…
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in New Mexico, September 15 to 18, 2013A stationary upper level low pressure system that settled into the Great Basin around the 10th provided a steady stream of near record subtropical atmospheric moisture over New Mexico.
- Flash Flood and Flooding in New Mexico, August 20 to 27, 2022An easterly wave that had been in place over southern New Mexico and Arizona all week finally tracked over New Mexico on August 20, 2022. As it did so, it brought an above normal amount of precipitation as precipitable water amounts rose to near record values.
- Flood in New Mexico, April 12 to 13, 2023Above normal snowpack from the prior winter season in combination with a rapid warming in temperatures resulted in a rapid snowmelt within the Jemez Mountains and the Jemez River Basin.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in New Mexico, September 21 to 22, 2014The remnants of Tropical Storm Odile and an associated mid-level circulation were still over the region. The airmass was very moist, and lift was enhanced by upslope low-level winds across southeast New Mexico and the higher terrain of West Texas.
- Flash Flooding and Flood in New Mexico, July 25 to 26, 2004Fifteen hour rainfall totals along the Texas and New Mexico border over Guadalupe Mountains National Park (generally over the Texas portion of the mountain chain) exceeded four inches at several observing stations.
- Flood in New Mexico, February 11 to 12, 2005A large fetch of tropical moisture produced 1.5 to more than 3 inches of rain over the Gila region. Much of the existing snowpack melted from the rain, which resulted in widespread flooding. The Gila River crested at 1 to 4 feet above flood stage, depending on the location.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in New Mexico, August 28 to 29, 2006A large cluster of thunderstorms dropped 3 to 5 inches of rain on much of the triangle between Las Cruces, Hatch and Deming, which is an unusually large area for such rainfall amounts in the desert southwest.
- Flood in New Mexico, May 2 to 10, 2023Well above average snowpack and warm temperatures led to rapid snowmelt and river rises on many northern NM river basins. Overbank flooding was reported at and downstream of the junction between the Rio Ojo Caliente and Rio Chama between May 5th and May 10th.
- Flood and Hail in New Mexico, July 3 to 4, 2013Upper level high pressure centered over the Great Basin continued a north to south flow aloft over New Mexico. Sufficient moisture in place across the area fueled thunderstorm development along the eastern periphery of the upper high.
- Flood in New Mexico, August 13 to 14, 2021A storm system that had stalled over southeastern New Mexico for a couple days remained in place again on August 14, 2021. An abundant amount of moisture was also in place across eastern New Mexico with atmospheric moisture values well above normal.
- Flash Flood and Flood in New Mexico, January 27 to 29, 2008A storm off the northern California coast on the 25th and 26th moved inland on the 27th, crossing New Mexico early on the 28th.
- Flood in New Mexico, June 1 to 4, 2005River flow from heavy snow melt runoff remained strong along the Animas River in San Juan County during early June.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in New Mexico, June 30, 2021A saturated and unstable atmosphere over New Mexico on June 30, 2021, led to several reports of flooding and flash flooding.
- Flash Flooding and Flood in New Mexico, July 28 to 29, 2014An active and persistent pattern maintained a heightened threat for flash flooding across much of the state. An upper level high was centered over portions of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
- Flash Flood and Flood in New Mexico, July 29 to 30, 2015An upper level high east of the state and a surface backdoor cold front drew abundant moisture into northern and central New Mexico through the end of the 28th.
- Flooding in New Mexico, September 4, 2006Four days of moderate to heavy rainfall due to tropical moisture influx from Hurricane John (which was moving up the Baja Peninsula) led to widespread flooding across much of southern New Mexico.
- Flash Flooding and Flood in New Mexico, July 3 to 5, 2009A very moist southerly flow was in place over the area. The atmospheric moisture content was almost twice the normal value for early July. The flow was such that thunderstorm movement was slow, subjecting locations to very heavy rainfall for long periods of time.
- Flood and Damaging Wind in New Mexico, August 8, 2002A nearly stationary thunderstorm over downtown Las Cruces produced a 75 mph wet microburst which resulted in structural damage in a very localized area. A roof was lifted from a house and blown over a fence into a neighboring yard, while stop signs were literally flattened.
- Flood in New Mexico, January 28, 2008An upper level trough spread abundant subtropical moisture into much of southern New Mexico. Since snow levels were high (above 8000 feet), the result was up to two inches of rain on an existing snowpack.
- Flood and Heavy Snow in New Mexico, January 14 to 16, 2017A cutoff low was moving through the Baja region with a 90 knot jet approaching the region from the southwest. Low level east to southeast winds were bringing up decent moisture for January.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.