Aug 8, 2002
A nearly stationary thunderstorm over downtown Las Cruces produced a 75 mph wet microburst which resulted in structural damage in a very localized area. A roof was lifted from a house and blown over a fence into a neighboring yard, while stop signs were literally flattened. Urban flooding from 1.4 inches of rain in 30 minutes led to the closure of a major intersection as water pushed off a manhole cover.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5317862). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Dona Ana County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.