With a low pressure system centered to the southwest of New Mexico and an anomalously moist air mass being transported into the state, the stage was set for another round of showers and thunderstorms across the area on May 30, 2021. Thunderstorm activity formed by the late morning hours and intensified as the day progressed. Several reports of large hail was received across central and eastern New Mexico, and a few tornadoes and landspouts were observed across the plains. The anomalously moist air mass allowed for heavy rain to fall as well, especially across south central and southeast New Mexico which received rainfall totals of three to five inches in a very short period of time. This led to flash flooding in Lincoln and Chaves counties in which several water rescues had to be performed. Widespread damage was reported as well with multiple businesses, homes, and vehicles being inundated with flood waters. Tragically, one individual in southern Lincoln County drowned while trying to cross a flooded roadway in their vehicle.

Hail in MORA, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 13:37:00 to 30-MAY-21 13:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: OCATE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Ocate reported 1 inch hail from a severe thunderstorm moving northeastward through the area.

Tornado in UNION, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 15:10:00 to 30-MAY-21 15:11:00 (MST-7)
Location: MOSES
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A thunderstorm near Moses produced a brief tornado as it tracked eastward. No damage was reported.

Tornado in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 15:44:00 to 30-MAY-21 15:46:00 (MST-7)
Location: BARD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A storm chaser reported a brief tornado near the intersection of Quay Road 62 and Quay Road O. No damage was reported.

Hail in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 16:35:00 to 30-MAY-21 16:41:00 (MST-7)
Location: DEXTER
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Dexter reported 1.5 inch hail from a supercell thunderstorm tracking eastward through the area.

Hail in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 16:40:00 to 30-MAY-21 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: GREENFIELD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Greenfield reported nickel size hail from a supercell thunderstorm that tracked eastward through the area.

Hail in ROOSEVELT, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 18:29:00 to 30-MAY-21 18:34:00 (MST-7)
Location: MILNESAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Milnesand reported hailstones ranging from the size of nickels to quarters from a severe thunderstorm tracking eastward through the area.

Flash Flood in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 16:49:00 to 30-MAY-21 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MOUNTAIN VIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two to four inches of rainfall in the Roswell area caused flash flooding on roadways and low water crossings. A high water rescue had to be performed at Washington and Jaffa Road in Roswell, but no injuries were reported. The extent of the damages are unknown and are roughly estimated for the unknown amount of businesses and vehicles inundated with flood waters.

Hail in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 13:23:00 to 30-MAY-21 13:26:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA CIENEGA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A social media user reported 1.25 inch hail from a severe thunderstorm near La Cienega.

Hail in LINCOLN, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 13:33:00 to 30-MAY-21 13:36:00 (MST-7)
Location: TINNIE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters in Tinnie reported hail ranging from the size of nickels to the size of golf balls from a severe thunderstorm moving east through the area.

Hail in COLFAX, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 12:47:00 to 30-MAY-21 12:50:00 (MST-7)
Location: RATON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Raton reported penny size hail from a strong thunderstorm.

Flash Flood in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 16:53:00 to 30-MAY-21 18:53:00 (MST-7)
Location: DEXTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two to four inches of rainfall in a short period of time caused flash flooding in Dexter with multiple roads flooded. The extent of the damages are unknown and are roughly estimated for the unknown amount of businesses and homes inundated.

Flash Flood in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 20:23:00 to 30-MAY-21 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: (ROW)ROSWELL IND AIRPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trained spotters reported flash flooding along U.S. Highway 285 near Midway with an estimated three to four feet of water over the roadway. Several people were stranded along the highway and were waiting on top of their vehicles to be rescued. Several water rescues had to be conducted at U.S. Highway 285 and Orchard Park Road. Multiple homes were inundated as well with flood waters, and one woman had to be rescued via a kayak. No injuries were reported. The extent of the damages is unknown, and damages are roughly estimated for the multiple businesses, homes, and vehicles inundated with flood waters.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, NEW MEXICO
From 30-MAY-21 14:30:00 to 30-MAY-21 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: TINNIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rainfall in the Hondo area caused widespread flooding of roads and low water crossings. The Lincoln County emergency manager estimated that the Rio Ruidoso rose 4 to 6 feet quickly while Alamo Canyon Road south of U.S. Highway 70 was completely inundated. One individual was in their truck at Alamo Canyon Road and became stuck in the low water crossing when the flood waters inundated it. The individual then either tried to escape or the flood waters pulled them out of their truck. Tragically, they drowned, and their body was found the next day. Damages are estimated for the loss of the truck.