Albuquerque residents finally get some significant rainfall
Some city areas report over an inch of precipitation
After watching dark clouds approach Albuquerque only to break up and tease residents for several days, the city has received significant rain since Saturday.
The Sunport measured 0.62 inch of precipitation Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
But some parts of the city received more than an inch of rain that day, according to unofficial measurements provided by the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network.
The Mirabella neighborhood, in Southeast Albuquerque, received 1.71 inches of rain, according to unofficial measurements, while residents along Juan Tabo near Montgomery NE saw 1.35 inches over the weekend.
Corrales, Rio Rancho and Bernalillo also received significant rainfall Saturday, ranging from a quarterinch to nearly an inch, according to unofficial measurements.
Areas south of Albuquerque reported significant rain, which caused problems for some residents.
The Associated Press reported that floodwaters knocked out part of a transmission line that runs between
Socorro and Magdalena, leaving hundreds without power, and damaged homes, broke waterlines and destroyed crops in Socorro County.
About 1,560 customers of the Socorro Electric Cooperative in and around Magdalena were without power Monday. Floodwaters swept through an arroyo late Sunday, uprooting poles and anchors along the transmission line, spokesman Jimmy Capps said.
Crews went out on ATVs in the dark to find the source of the power outage, Capps said. Power was expected to be restored late Monday, he said.
Nearby in San Antonio, N.M., residents and restaurant owners were cleaning up debris and mud.
Eighteen homes were damaged, some with up to a foot of mud in them, Socorro County Manager Delilah Walsh said.
Residents reported hearing rumbling Sunday night before seeing what looked like a river flowing through their property, she said.
The community received little rain, but heavy rain elsewhere moved along and across local roads, dumping into San Antonio. A walk-in freezer and a propane tank used by businesses floated away, Walsh said Monday.
Troy Marshall of the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque said residents can expect a drying period starting today as a high-pressure system begins building over New Mexico, with temperatures rising and storms decreasing.
“It will be mostly sunny (Tuesday) morning and party cloudy in the afternoon, with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible,” Marshall said of the Albuquerque-area forecast. “Wednesday will be partly cloudy, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.”
What storms do develop in northern and central New Mexico are likely to hug the higher terrain, still bringing localized heavy rains.
Flash flooding remains possible over and downstream of recent burn scars.
Meanwhile, Albuquerque Fire Chief Paul Dow on Monday announced a reduction in fire restrictions in the city’s open space areas to Stage I, based on weather conditions and fire danger.
Prohibited open space activities under Stage I fire restrictions include:
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, open flame, campfire or stove fire except within a developed recreation site. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device.
Possessing or operating a motor vehicle off any publicly designated roadway, except when parking in developed parking lots or at developed trailheads unless otherwise authorized by a recognized government agency having such authority.
Operating a chain saw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine unless otherwise authorized by a recognized government agency having such authority.
Operating any piece of spark-emitting equipment unless otherwise authorized by a recognized government agency having such authority.
Operating any internal or external combustion engine unless otherwise authorized by a recognized government agency.
Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame unless otherwise authorized by a recognized government agency and camping or staying overnight.
Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve lifted fire restrictions, including backcountry closures, on Monday.
Special use permittees and commercial use operators were able to resume normal activities within the two parks.
“Even though the monsoons have begun, we’re still in drought conditions,” Valles Caldera National Preserve Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos said in a statement. “We ask that visitors continue to take appropriate precautions while enjoying our national parks and national forests.”
While 100 percent contained, the area surrounding the San Antonio Fire on the preserve’s north rim remains closed to public access.
Visitors to the preserve’s backcountry are reminded to be courteous and cautious of fire crews who are still patrolling the fire.