Last August we had some crazy weather here in Albuquerque. It seemed everywhere I went there was some weather related story as it happened one amazing Friday evening when it rained so hard in such a short amount of time near downtown that it made for some dramatic images including the following of a man hanging on to a trash can to keep from being washed away as he looked at a flash flood headed his way. I've attached a short video I shot as well to give you a sense of how powerful the downpour was. The second photo was of a homeless man who was caught in another flash flood as he slept in a dry city arroyo but was quickly washed away with the massive current flowing downwards after heavy rains fell in the foothills. Luckily for him a witness managed to see him get swept away and called 911. I've also attached a shaky video to give you an idea of how he was saved by rescue personnel from Albuquerque's Fire Department who are trained in such types of rescue. NPPA chose these photos as first place for spot news in region no.8.
flash flood
Last Week
This homeless man was swept away by a flash flood . Scenes like this one are common in the southwest around this time of year. The runoff from the Sandia mountains to the east of the city can carry a tremendous amount of water at fast speed, often catching kids playing in the nearby arroyos where it may appear dry some miles away.
This man was lucky to have survived due to the quick action of the citizens seen on the right who saw the him get swept away.
A news crew shot this photo of me as I stepped away from the scene.
Albuquerque Police officers as well as SWAT members rush a house to arrest a man who was believed to be brandishing a weapon in the southeast quadrant of the city.
Albuquerque Flash Flood
Record rain fell in Albuquerque in a matter of an hour.
Two drivers had to be rescued by Albuquerque firefighters when their car flooded in the downtown area.
The scene in downtown Albuquerque after record rain fell in an hour.