| Deadly
and Destructive
Floods and Flash Floods
CAN and DO Happen over Southern New Mexico and Western Texas
|
| Sep 2, 1973: Heavy rain
in Sierra County, New Mexico sent a five foot wall of water along Percha
Creek through the center of Hillsboro causing major damage to
buildings and washing away cars. Four persons were killed and
damages totaled 1.6 million dollars.
Aug. 17, 1978: Thunderstorms produced up to 10 inches of rain on the eastern slopes of the Organ Mountains in New Mexico. Five persons were killed at White Sands Missile Range when floodwaters swept them from the roadway. Aug. 8-9, 1984: Heavy rains caused major flooding of homes and streets across El Paso Texas. The floods also caused rocks and debris to clutter streets with major widespread road closures. Dec. 27-28, 1984: Winter storm brought heavy rains to southwestern New Mexico causing the Gila, San Francisco, and Mimbres rivers to flood. Flooding destroyed bridges, crops, and public works with damages totaling fourteen million dollars. Aug. 13, 1986: Two persons were killed just north of Alamogordo, New Mexico when La Luz Creek overflowed its banks and swept an automobile attempting to drive across a flooded road. Aug. 24, 1987: 5 to 7 inches of rain fell across portions of Dona Ana County, New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas. Streets and homes were flooded in Hatch, Las Cruces and El Paso with major crop damage across the region. Aug. 5, 1988: Almost 5 inches of rain fell in two hours causing widespread flash flooding and road closures across eastern El Paso. |
Jan. 19, 1993: A major
winter storm brought flash flooding across Grant County, New
Mexico including the Silver City area. The heavy rains caused mudslides
while several streams overflowed and flooded roads and highways.
June 30, 1995: Thunderstorms caused deadly flash flooding in east El Paso, Texas. A mother and her son were killed when their car was swept off the road while a third woman drowned when she fell into floodwaters. June 29, 1996: Almost five inches of rain fell in three hours around Truth or Consequences in Sierra County, New Mexico. Major damage took place to homes, businesses, and utilities and several cars were washed into Elephant Butte reservoir. June 17, 1999: Up to four inches of rain fell in the East Mesa area of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Water running off the Organ Mountains caused considerable damage to homes and mobile homes and washed out roads. July 6, 1999: Thunderstorms dropped up to three inches of rain in the Alamogordo, New Mexico area causing widespread urban and arroyo flooding. July 20, 1999: Thunderstorms produced heavy rains and widespread flooding across east El Paso with one person killed. July 1, 2000: Slow moving thunderstorms caused flooding over Grant County, New Mexico and over the city of El Paso, Texas causing water damage to some homes and closures of several highways. |
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