Update: Police report that 1 person was found dead in a vehicle driven into floodwaters in Carlsbad.
Flash floods struck parts of the state of New Mexico after more than 5 inches of rain (127 mm) fell in 24 hours.
Levels of the Pecos River and Dark Canyon jumped, causing flooding in areas around Carlsbad and Eddy County on 29 June 2021. Almost 30 roadways were closed as a result. Eddy County officials said residents living near the Tansill Dam and Reservoir were evacuating. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park has been closed due to flooding.
New Mexico Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, said the state is coordinating local resources in the response to the flooding in Eddy County and New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is maintaining close communication with local floodplain managers and the Army Corps of Engineers.
“Please abide by local evacuations and remember, turn around, don’t drown!” the Governor added.
The National Weather Service in Midland said that over 5 inches / 127 mm of rain fell in Queen, New Mexico in 24 hours to 29 June. Levels of the Dark Canyon at Carlsbad jumped form around 4 feet to over 19 feet in just over 1 hour. Moderate flood stage here is 18 feet. Similarly the Pecos River at Carlsbad jumped to 15.24 feet on 29 June. Flood stage here is 14 feet.
Social Media
The state is coordinating local resources in the response to the flooding in Eddy County and @NMDHSEM is maintaining close communication with local floodplain managers and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Please abide by local evacuations and remember, turn around, don’t drown! https://t.co/mYwYYLGu7h
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) June 29, 2021
Over 5″ of rain fell in Queen NM last 24hrs and the Dark Canyon Draw gauge 8 miles north of Whites City has shown a rapid increase in water flowing through the Canyon . This will result in the Dark Canyon Draw at Carlsbad going into minor flood later today. #nmwx
— NWS Midland (@NWSMidland) June 29, 2021
Here’s video of the flood at San Jose bridge. pic.twitter.com/PCnbohHovk
— Adrian Hedden (@AdrianHedden) June 29, 2021
Normally dry Dark Canyon Arroyo in Carlsbad, #NM at 4:15 PM MDT, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Radio Blvd & Boyd Dr. #nmwx @NWSMidland #CarlsbadFlashFlooding @NWSAlbuquerque pic.twitter.com/yCt5jEjQwT
— WLMalone (@WLM22268357) June 29, 2021
