Jul 31, 2017
Abundant moisture and instability in place over New Mexico on the final day of July 2017 resulted in more flash flashing. Several days of heavy rainfall set the stage for saturated soils and rapid runoff. Very weak steering flow led to nearly stationary thunderstorms with impressive rainfall rates near three inches per hour. Heavy rainfall on very steep terrain west of Red River produced flash flooding across state highway 138 near mile marker nine. The highway was closed for around four hours.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 705524). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Taos County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.