An easterly wave that had been in place over southern New Mexico and Arizona all week finally tracked over New Mexico on August 20, 2022. As it did so, it brought an above normal amount of precipitation as precipitable water amounts rose to near record values. This brought widespread, beneficial rainfall to most of northern and central New Mexico with the highest 24-hour rainfall totals of two to four inches across areas south of Interstate 40 where the easterly wave tracked. The system did lack a sufficient amount of instability, and thus, stratiform rain was most common with embedded thunderstorms. These light rainfall rates meant that the traditional summertime flash flooding was not the main threat. Rather, rises on rivers, creeks, and streams were with the long duration event. Flooding was reported in Mesa along U.S. Highway 285 which stranded motorists. The McBride burn scar also experienced flooding thanks to hours of steady rainfall. Across Chaves County, the Pecos River experienced record flooding with major impacts felt for several days near Roswell, Hagerman, Dexter, and Lake Arthur.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, NEW MEXICO
From 20-AUG-22 09:00:00 to 20-AUG-22 11:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: ALTO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Lincoln County emergency manager reported that hours of light, steady rainfall with totals of 1 to 2.5 inches caused burn scar flash flooding on the McBride burn scar near Ruidoso. All of Gavilan Canyon was flooded. Damages are estimated.

Flood in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 20-AUG-22 16:05:00 to 20-AUG-22 20:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: MESA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Consistent rainfall near Mesa caused flooding along U.S. Highway 285 which stranded motorists between mile markers 144 and 146. Water rescues were also needed at mile marker 139. The extent of damages are not known and are estimated for the stranded vehicles.

Flood in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 21-AUG-22 03:00:00 to 27-AUG-22 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: ROSWELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A long duration rain event caused the Pecos River in Chaves County to swell and cause major flooding around the river. Once the Acme gauge to the northeast of Roswell crested to major flood stage, that water slowly traveled south for several days, causing flooding in the Dexter, Hagerman, and Lake Arthur areas. The gauge at Lake Arthur crested to a maximum of 13.37 feet at about 6:45 PM MDT on August 26th. Despite this being well below action stage, major impacts were still felt for several days across southern Chaves County along the Pecos River. During the early morning hours of the 21st, a vehicle attempting to cross a flooded low water crossing was carried about a half mile downstream along Cherokee Road near Hagerman. A water rescue was conducted for the driver who was found sitting on the top of their partially submerged vehicle. Along River Road at Bottomless Lakes, four people had to be rescued. Two of these individuals were rescued from a trapped vehicle while the other two were rescued from the home after they previously chose not to evacuate. Finally, near Dexter, three people had to be rescued from their vehicle. This water rescue proved to be particularly difficult as the flood waters at this point were too high which prevented emergency officials from reaching the stranded travelers. Officials had to drive around Dexter and approach the location from the east to rescue the three individuals. Despite all this, there were no known injuries and damages are a rough estimate.

Flood in CHAVES, NEW MEXICO
From 21-AUG-22 07:45:00 to 22-AUG-22 18:45:00 (MST-7)
Location: BOAZ
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A long duration rain event across the area caused the Pecos River to swell to record values. The Acme gauge, located to the northeast of Roswell along the river, entered action stage during the early morning hours of August 21st, and water levels continued to rise quickly to a crest of 17.37 feet by about 2 PM MDT. This was well over the major flood stage of 16 feet, and it set a new record for the Acme gauge. The gauge stayed in major flood stage for about seven hours before gradually falling below action stage during the evening hours of August 22nd. This record flooding along the Pecos River caused major impacts in the area. Near Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the Chaves County emergency manager relayed reports of a truck that was stuck within the flood waters with the driver having to be rescued. Damages are estimated.