Aug 2, 2002
A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms moved into central and downtown El Paso from the south, dropping 1.5 to 2 inches of rain at the rate of an inch in 10 minutes on the southern spine of the Franklin Mountains. The excessive runoff resulted in several cars being washed off streets, and the closure of Interstate 10 for several hours. A child playing in flood waters was swept into a catchment basin. After being rescued, he died the following day. These storms also produced wet microbursts
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5317858). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in El Paso County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.