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Flash Flood — Otero, NM

Aug 23, 2023

The remnants of Tropical Storm Harold moved through southern Texas and into the Borderland on August 23. While the storm weakened significantly, some convective thunderstorm bands developed over Otero county on the afternoon of the 23rd and dropped over 3 inches of rain in La Luz. The heavy rainfall was also blamed for a landslide that occurred along Highway 82 near High Rolls during the early morning hours of the 24th.

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1129754). 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 →

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Otero, NM · Jul 29, 2022

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Flash Flood$1.3M damage

Otero, NM · Jun 22, 2006

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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…

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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.

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