Staff Reports
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a flash flood warning for west central McKinley County which will last until 8 pm on July 22.
Around 5 pm, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. So far, between 0.25 and 0.75 inches of rain has fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 2 inches in one hour. Additional rainfall amounts up to one inch is possible in the warned area.
Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Authorities are asking residents not to cross flowing water or water of unknown depth. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Arroyos, streams, and normally dry rivers can become raging killer currents ina matter of minutes. Water in arroyos can travel many miles and take hours to reach a locaiton from upstream rain areas.
