In a dramatic turn of weather events, a powerful storm unleashed chaos on the small village of Willard, New Mexico, transforming its landscape into what meteorologists described as “a large lake.”
The storm, which struck on Wednesday, brought torrential rain and lime-sized hail, trapping numerous vehicles in fast-moving floodwaters. As per to the source washingtonpost
Brian Guyer, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, highlighted the stark contrast between recent catastrophic wildfires and the sudden onset of severe flooding, typical during New Mexico’s overlapping wildfire and monsoon seasons.
Mike Bischoff, a commercial truck driver caught in the storm on Highway 42, recounted the harrowing experience of being enveloped by hail and witnessing a funnel cloud.
The storm pounded Willard relentlessly for three hours, dumping between 6 to 8 inches of rain. Such rainfall amounts are uncommon in this region, where some areas receive less precipitation in an entire year, according to Guyer.
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Meanwhile, about three hours south in Ruidoso, fire crews battled to contain deadly wildfires amid looming threats of flooding and lightning strikes.
The fires, which have claimed two lives and consumed over 31 square miles, forced evacuations of homes, businesses, and essential facilities including a hospital and a horse track.
The swift escalation from dry, hot conditions to extreme weather underscores the volatile nature of New Mexico’s climate during this transitional period.
The state remains on high alert as emergency responders continue to navigate the aftermath of both natural disasters, providing assistance and monitoring for further developments.