It was another active monsoon day across northern and central New Mexico on July 20, 2021. With an area of high pressure centered over the Four Corners and high amounts of atmospheric moisture across western and central New Mexico, thunderstorms developed by late morning across the mountainous terrain. With the upper-level high pressure's location, thunderstorms moved in a southerly direction and expanded in coverage across lower elevations. These thunderstorms produced very heavy rainfall, and several reports of flash flooding were received across urban areas. The most significant flash flooding occurred in Albuquerque where rainfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour quickly filled the city's arroyos. Three water rescues had to be conducted in Albuquerque due to people in the arroyos, but unfortunately, rescue efforts were not successful.

Flash Flood in SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
From 20-JUL-21 13:33:00 to 20-JUL-21 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: AGUA FRIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Multiple sources reported flooding around Eldorado as an intense thunderstorm produced rain rates of about 4 to 5 inches per hour. A CoCoRaHS observer in Eldorado reported 2.03 inches of rain with 1.1 inches of that falling in just 45 minutes. The heavy rainfall flooded arroyos around Eldorado. A couple residents also reported that their yards had been flooded while another resident reported that the flood waters entered their garage. Damages are estimated for the flooded garage.

Flash Flood in BERNALILLO, NEW MEXICO
From 20-JUL-21 14:04:00 to 20-JUL-21 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: CEDAR CREST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A thunderstorm producing rain rates of about 4 to 5 inches per hour caused flash flooding along New Mexico State Road 14 in the Cedar Crest area southward into Pinon Ridge. A trained spotter in Cedar Crest also reported that arroyos in the area were full and storm drains were becoming overwhelmed. Extent of damages is unknown.

Hail in QUAY, NEW MEXICO
From 20-JUL-21 11:15:00 to 20-JUL-21 11:20:00 (MST-7)
Location: HOUSE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer in House reported nickel size hail with a strong thunderstorm tracking southward through the area. The observer also reported some minor damage with dents in their car from the hail. Damages are estimated for the car dents.

Flash Flood in BERNALILLO, NEW MEXICO
From 20-JUL-21 15:30:00 to 20-JUL-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: ALBUQUERQUE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A thunderstorm with heavy rain rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour resulted in flash flooding across eastern portions of Albuquerque. Several reports of flooded roadways and yards in the Albuquerque foothills was received. The rainfall also quickly filled up in city's arroyos, and three people within the arroyos were swept away. Emergency crews performed water rescues for the three individuals for several hours on July 20th, but rescue efforts were not successful. Unfortunately, emergency personnel recovered the bodies of two adult men on July 21st in the diversion channel washout area, and the body of a third adult man was recovered on July 22nd. A spokesperson for Albuquerque Fire remarked that this was the deadliest flooding event in Albuquerque in recent memory.