FloodZoneMap.org

Flash Flood — Otero, NM

Aug 21, 2022

Several days of heavy rain continued across southwest New Mexico as a slow moving mid and upper level trough helped produce widespread rain across the region with nearly 5 inches of rain reported near White Sands. As a result of the heavy rain, numerous reports of flash flooding were received.

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1053974). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Otero, NM

This event is one of many recorded floods in Otero County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View Otero County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Flash Flood$10K damage

Otero, NM · Jul 29, 2022

Modest low and mid level southeast flow kept some monsoon moisture around the Sacramento Mountains. Very weak flow aloft kept storms moving slowly allowing for heavy rain to fall over the Soldier Canyon Burn Scar.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$1.3M damage

Otero, NM · Jun 22, 2006

Strong thunderstorms developed over the southern Sacramento Mountains and along the eastern heights of Alamogordo. One storm in particular dropped about an inch and a half of rain in 40 minutes over Marble Canyon , which drains into eastern Alamogordo.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$100K damage

Otero, NM · Aug 1, 2014

A very moist atmosphere was in place with weak flow aloft keeping storm motion very slow. A weak upper level trough was passing over the region which triggered scattered thunderstorms with very heavy rain which lead to over 20 houses in Alamogordo getting flooded and mud slides…

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$100K damage

Otero, NM · Sep 15, 2013

A persistent area of high pressure over the Eastern United States setup a deep east to southeast flow off the Gulf of Mexico which provided plenty of moisture to Otero County.

Read the full account →