Jul 20, 2013
A persistent area of torrential rainfall over the headwaters of Santa Clara Canyon produced a significant flash flood wave on Santa Clara Creek. Rainfall rates with this storm approached 6 inches per hour leading to storm total amounts near 3 inches. A 9 foot wave of water surged through Santa Clara Canyon wiping out highways 601 and 602. The flood wave moved downstream and impacted the NM 30 bridge at Santa Clara Pueblo. Flash Flooding was also reported in eastern Bernalillo County as a strong
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 454431). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Rio Arriba County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.