Flash flood warning extended for south central San Juan County
A flash flood warning for south central San Juan County was extended to 6 p.m. after 1.5 to 2 inches of rain fell, with the Bisti/Da-Na-Zin Wilderness in the danger zone.
Flash flooding threatened south central San Juan County Friday after the National Weather Service in Albuquerque extended a flash flood warning until 6 p.m. MDT. At 4:20 p.m., radar showed thunderstorms dumping heavy rain across the warned area, with 1.5 to 2 inches already on the ground and more flooding expected to start shortly. The warning covered mainly rural parts of south central San Juan County, including the Bisti/Da-Na-Zin Wilderness.
The hazard was not limited to low spots. Small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, poor-drainage areas and other low-lying places could flood quickly, and arroyos, streams and normally dry rivers can turn into raging currents within minutes. Water can travel many miles from upstream rain areas, so a road or wash may become dangerous even if the sky overhead has cleared. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles, which is why the standard warning is: turn around, don’t drown.
San Juan County’s emergency management system directs people to call 911 or county dispatch at 505-334-6622 for immediate emergency assistance. The county’s READY hub includes evacuation information, river updates, fire information and a notices-and-evacuations map with road closures, shelters and other verified public safety updates when long-duration events require them.
The National Weather Service says flash floods can develop within six hours of heavy rainfall and rank as the most dangerous type of flood. New Mexico’s varied terrain can funnel water into places that never saw the rain, and arroyo flooding can sweep away vehicles in San Juan County.
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