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. An upper trough remained in place through New Mexico which provided the lift for very heavy rains to occur over Otero County and especially the Sacramento Mountains.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 476958). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
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.