Flash flooding In Gallup

Yesterday, I spent the whole day indoors at home. It started raining in the morning and continued throughout the day. 

It was not too heavy, but it was continuous here in Jamestown.

In Gallup, in the meantime, got flooded by the storm. The water flowed like a river on Historic Route 66. A friend said the storm drain system is antiquated and is badly in need of being modernized with water from the surrounding hills flowing down into the downtown area. 

Hopefully, it will either cease or taper off within the next few days as I have to go into town to pick up some meds.

Overnight, I was awakened by a heavy downpour around 2:30. Good thing I went to bed at 8:00.

Here's a video from KOAT News:

Floods Hit Gallup

Yesterday's monsoon storm caused massive flooding in Gallup. The area hasn't seen such a storm in years.

We got about a half inch of rain in a short period according to a friend with a rain gauge. Luckily, we're on a hill and no flooding occurred. 

Here's a couple of videos on yesterday's flood.

 From KRQE News:

Here's a dash cam of flooding near the El Rancho Hotel (on the right) by Flowers BG:

Hurricane Hilary: Catastrophe For Insurers?

Hurricane Hilary (or rather, Tropical Storm Hilary) has made its way through Southern California. 

Reuters reported:

LOS ANGELES, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The first tropical storm to hit Los Angeles in more than 80 years unleashed floods across parts of Southern California more accustomed to drought, as officials urged the public to stay safe as they began to count the cost of damage.

The National Weather Service downgraded the hurricane to a tropical depression but not before California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for much of Southern California, with flash flood warnings until at least 3 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Monday.

I would not be at all surprised if the insurance claims industry assigns a catastrophe status to this event, along with a catastrophe code number, in the days ahead or have done so already. Major events such as this usually are assigned catastrophe status for anticipated high damage claims. Insurers will be hiring additional claims staff to handle the increased numbers of claims. I served on several catastrophes, the last being the Northridge Earthquake in 1994.

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) defines a catastrophe as an event that causes. $24 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of. property/casualty policyholders and insurers.

It is possible that retired property adjusters, such as myself, are called up to join catastrophe teams. Good money is made in joining catastrophe claim teams.

To read more, go here.

Navigating Yellowstone National Park This Summer Update

Above, one of many geothermal attractions within Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Labor Day is only days away and that essentially marks the end of the summer vacation season.

Yellowstone National Park, if one is still planning to go there before the end of the month, had a disastrous start of the season with the floods of June and National Parks Traveler has posted an update to navigating the park.

They start it with:

Visitors to Yellowstone National Park should check the park's website in advance of their travels to learn what's accessible and what isn't. For instance, as of September 8 you'll no longer need to obtain a day-use ticket to drive the 6-mile road corridor between Tower Junction and Slough Creek.

The park piloted the day-use program Aug. 3 to expand access to this impacted area in the northern part of Yellowstone following the historic flood event in June. After closely monitoring use in the area, the park found the corridor could safely maintain an increase in day-use capacity.  

That said, the road corridor is essentially a dead-end, and people driving large vehicles (buses, long towing units etc.) are asked to be aware that turnaround areas along the Slough Creek Campground Road are limited.  

The only section of the Northeast Entrance Road open is from Tower Junction to Slough Creek. The remainder of the Northeast Entrance Road (Lamar Valley east to the barrier near Warm Creek) is closed to all traffic due to significant flood damage. The North (Gardiner, Montana) and Northeast (Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana) entrances are closed with limited access (see below) due to significant flood damage. Visitors wanting to drive the Tower Junction to Slough Creek road corridor will need to enter the park through the West, South, or East entrances. 

To read the full update, go here. 

Interstate 40 Today

Interstate 40 at the McGaffey/Fort Wingate exit yesterday was flooded by heavy rains from a thunderstorm that came into the area during the afternoon hours.

Today, I had to go to Gallup to do some grocery shopping and found that it looked pretty much normal except for some debris and puddles along the side of the highway.

From what I could see, Route 66 alongside I-40 was a muddy mess. It will take a while for the New Mexico Department of Transportation can get it cleared.

Here's a couple of photos of Interstate 40 with the bridge to McGaffey overhead:

Interstate 40 Reopened After Flood

Above, the map of the affected area by the McKinley County Office of Emergency Management.

Last evening's thunderstorm that produced flash floods in McKinley County, particularly at Milepost 33 of Interstate 40, has cleared out.

The Interstate was reopened last evening. 

I have to go into Gallup today for some grocery shopping and I am curious at what the Fort Wingate/McGaffey interchange looks like today. I am sure the frontage road (Route 66) is still a mess and remains closed. 

That was one heck of a thunderstorm. Rain came down in Jamestown, but it didn't seem too heavy. But the lightning display was entertaining (at least to me). 

This monsoon season will likely go into the record books. 

Salvaging Your Yellowstone Trip

Above, the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The closure of Yellowstone National Park due to the massive flooding last week obviously is causing a number of problems.

One of which is causing people who have plans and reservations to visit the park. The questions arise, "What if you can't get into Yellowstone? What do you do?"

WGCU (PBS and NPR affiliate in Florida) has some suggestions.

They begin with:

Many potential vacationers to Yellowstone National Park are wondering what to do with the possibility that they will be turned away at the gates, even as the park speeds up plans to reopen after unprecedented flooding.

Flash floods devastated the northern part of the park last week, with swelling rivers washing away roads and sweeping entire structures downstream.

On Monday, park officials announced that Yellowstone's north loop, which had been expected to be closed for months, will now reopen within two weeks after a surge of funding was acquired for repairs. Over the weekend the National Park Service said the south loop, which avoided the worst of the flooding damage, will reopen on Wednesday.

To deal with crowding, the Park Service announced over the weekend a new interim entry system based on vehicle license plate numbers. That could change to a reservation or timed entry system, if warranted, in the next three to four weeks.

About 1 million visitors come to Yellowstone each month during the summer. While the park works to fully reopen quicker than expected, it's clear that many vacationers will still be forced to change their itineraries.  

But if you've already made your reservations or are already nearby, there are still plenty of options — especially for the outdoor enthusiasts — in the surrounding areas. Many of the towns and recreational areas outside of the park are still open for visitors looking to salvage their summer plans.

To read more, go here. 

Flash Flood Threats for the Southwest U.S.

Above, yesterday afternoon's rain. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday started out nice and sunny. The morning and early afternoon hours were pleasant enough for me to sit out on my deck and enjoy some Alien Amber Ale.

Then late in the afternoon, clouds came over the area and we have brief periods of thundershower. Since we need the rain, it was welcome. We've been a bit parched this year.

According to the "front page" of the National Weather Service, we may be in for more of the same:

Flash Flood Threats for the Southwest U.S.

An excessive rain and flash flood threat across the Southwestern U.S. will continue over the next several days, likely through the upcoming weekend. A classic summer monsoon pattern will be locked in place featuring above normal moisture. Expect scattered to organized areas of showers and thunderstorms that can produce intense rainfall amounts in a short period of time and flooding.

I am not concerned about flooding since I am on a slope. There is an arroyo behind my property to carry off any floodwaters, should they appear. 

As for today and tonight:

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Flash Flood Watch

Above, the deck yesterday morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few minutes ago, I took a gander at today's forecast at the National Weather Service website. Jamestown, New Mexico and the whole region around it are under a Flash Flood Watch. 

Well, we definitely can use the water.

They posted:

Flash Flood Watch

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
306 AM MDT Wed Jul 14 2021

NMZ201>219-227-228-241-141800-
/O.NEW.KABQ.FF.A.0008.210714T1800Z-210715T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands-
Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains-
West Central Highlands-Southwest Mountains-San Francisco River
Valley-Tusas Mountains Including Chama-Jemez Mountains-Glorieta
Mesa Including Glorieta Pass-Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-East Slopes Sangre de Cristo
Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley-Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro
Area-Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area-Johnson and
Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass-Far Northeast Highlands-San
Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands-
306 AM MDT Wed Jul 14 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT TODAY THROUGH LATE
TONIGHT...

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of central, north central,
  northeast, northwest, and west central New Mexico, including the
  following areas, in central New Mexico, Middle Rio Grande
  Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area and San Agustin Plains and Adjacent
  Lowlands. In north central New Mexico, East Slopes Sangre de
  Cristo Mountains, Espanola Valley, Far Northwest Highlands,
  Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass, Jemez Mountains, Northern
  Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Northwest Highlands, Santa Fe Metro
  Area, Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Tusas Mountains
  Including Chama and Upper Rio Grande Valley. In northeast New
  Mexico, Far Northeast Highlands and Johnson and Bartlett Mesas
  Including Raton Pass. In northwest New Mexico, Chuska Mountains
  and Northwest Plateau. In west central New Mexico, San Francisco
  River Valley, Southwest Mountains, West Central Highlands, West
  Central Mountains and West Central Plateau.

* From Noon MDT today through late tonight.

* A disturbance aloft will approach northern New Mexico today,
  bringing abundant moisture and instability that will lead to
  scattered to numerous thunderstorms. Many thunderstorms will be
  capable of producing heavy to torrential rainfall with localized
  areas receiving in excess of 2 inches under the strongest storms.
  Areas that have recently received heavy rainfall are likely to
  have saturated soils and will be susceptible to abrupt runoff and
  flash flooding. In addition, burn scars from recent wildfires will
  also be vulnerable to flash flooding.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

New Mexico Swampland

Above, the deck and yard this evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monsoonal moisture will also result in a flood threat over the Southwest. U.S. Weather Service, July 25, 2020

The above just about sizes up the weather we've been having today. This has been the strongest monsoon storm of the season. I am not complaining, we need the water. The yard is looking saturated (almost swampy).

The region is under a Flash Flood Watch until midnight. Fortunately for me, I live on a hill so I don't have to worry about flash floods.

It appears that all this will end (at least temporarily) Wednesday. While we are having rain, heavy at times, there's been no lightning for entertainment.

The forecast for the coming days from the National Weather Service:

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 77. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

UPDATE (7/26/20):

A friend in Jamestown, who has a rain gauge, said we received an inch of rain yesterday.

Zion National Park Officials Warn of Flash Floods

Above, The Narrows at Zion National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was late in coming, but monsoon season is finally here in the U.S. Southwest. That is welcome news for those of us who are in areas that have seen some drought conditions, but in other places, monsoon storms can turn deadly.

ABC4 News has posted an article on being beware of monsoon-related flash floods in Zion National Park in Utah.

They wrote:

ZION NATIONAL PARK (ABC4 News) — Zion National Park officials are urging caution with the potential of flash flooding in areas such as slot canyons, streams, and dry washes this week. 

Monsoon season typically runs from mid-July to mid-September, when flash flooding is most likely to occur. While there are currently no flash flood warnings in effect at the park, rangers say even a potential for flash floods is cause for serious concern because conditions can take a turn for the worse in an instant. 

At a place like Zion with many slot canyons that converge into river systems, park officials say it doesn’t take much rain in an isolated area to begin flowing downstream. An isolated cell can move over any of the canyons and quickly cause a flash flood, officials said.

To read more, go here. 

Quite A Storm We're Having!

From the McKinley County Office of Emergency Management

257 PM MDT Mon Jul 22 2019

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a

* Arroyo and Small Stream Flood Advisory for...
Northwestern Cibola County in west central New Mexico...
Northwestern McKinley County in west central New Mexico...

* Until 500 PM MDT.

* At 253 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
slow moving thunderstorms between Standing Rock, Tohatchi, Red
Rock State Park and McGaffey. Some of the heavier rain has
fallen near Pinedale and Church Rock. This will cause arroyo
and small stream flooding in the advisory area.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Gallup, Fort Wingate, McGaffey, Church Rock, Standing Rock,
Coolidge, Brimhall Nizhoni, Red Rock, Red Rock State Park and
Coyote Canyon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Both localized and distant heavy rainfall will create dangerous flows
in arroyos and over low water crossings. Do not attempt to drive
through these waters. Water in arroyos may travel many miles and take
hours to reach your location from upstream rain areas.

(Posted 7.22.19 at 1504)

Floods Destroy Popular Zion National Park Trails

Above, The Narrows in Zion National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While the rainfall from monsoon season is welcome here in Jamestown, New Mexico, they wreaked havoc in Zion National Park last week. Several popular trails were severely damaged.

According to Good4Utah:

ZION NATIONAL PARK (News4Utah)- Clean up continues in Zion National Park after a flood swept through the area last week, causing mudslides and rockfalls. 

Officials at the park say several popular trails remain closed Monday. Including Angels Landing, Kayenta, Upper Emerald Pools, and West Rim from the Grotto to Cabin Springs. 

Shuttles are running as normal. They will not be visiting the Grotto Shuttle Stop.

To read more, go here. 

RVs Don't Float

A friend sent the above photo. It is a shot of some recreational vehicles being swept away by recent flood waters from severe storms that hit New Braunfels, Texas under the Interstate 35 bridge.

The one RV in the foreground still has its slide-out in the open position.

Seventh Body Found At Zion National Park

Above, Checkerboard Mesa in the eastern portion of Zion National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tragedy stuck in Zion National Park in Utah on Monday when heavy rains caused a flash flood in a narrow canyon killing seven people.

CNN reported:

(CNN)Search crews in Zion National Park in Utah have found the body of the seventh person killed earlier this week in a flash flood, National Park Service spokesman David Eaker said Thursday. 

The flood struck Monday afternoon while a group of seven people were in Keyhole Canyon, a narrow canyon formed by water wearing through rock over the centuries, the park service said. 

Eaker said search teams found the seventh body Thursday morning in Pine Creek Canyon, one of the park's "more technical," difficult-to-reach areas. They had not searched the area, located downstream from Keyhole Canyon, earlier because of the threat of more flash floods, he said.

Keyhole Canyon is located in the eastern part of Zion National Park in a remote area. Permits are required to access this canyon.

My daughter Amber and I visited Zion last June.

To read more, go here.