Bernalillo County held a news conference to discuss the impact of Saturday’s heavy rainfall in the East Mountains. The storm, which brought 2.5 to 3 inches of rain in 30 minutes, caused a flood surge along Tijeras Creek.
The National Weather Service described the storm as a 200- to 500-year event, meaning it has a very low chance of occurring annually. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and damage was limited to one pedestrian bridge near Los Vecinos Community Center.
The county’s Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Project was put to the test during this event. This project aims to restore natural water flow in Tijeras Creek and improve stormwater infiltration and erosion control. Although the project is not yet complete, it largely worked as planned during the storm. Floodwaters flowed as intended, with installed features helping to reduce water velocity and prevent erosion.
Los Vecinos Community Center continues its operations with some adjustments due to the bridge closure. County engineers and scientists are assessing the site for repairs.
