Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding Across US Southwest as Desert Rivers Surge

Bands of heavy rain swept across the US Southwest on Tuesday, swelling desert rivers and sending floodwater through normally dry arroyos as a complex system of tropical weather pushed northeast from Mexico.

Nearly the entire region was placed under flood watches. Forecasters said north-central New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, could bear the brunt of the system, with 3 to 4 inches (about 8 to 10 centimetres) of rain expected through Wednesday and possibly more.

The storm moved briskly through Phoenix early Tuesday, dropping up to 2 inches (5 centimetres) before easing. The rocky desert terrain typically receives less than 10 inches (25 centimetres) of rain a year and has little vegetation to absorb it, leaving flash flooding a persistent danger.

In the small town of Orderville, Utah, flooding began on Monday night. Resident Sabrina Dubay was driving home when her partner called and urged her to stay away.

"The river came in and swept around the entirety of our house," Dubay said, recounting that her partner warned, "We're about to lose everything."

A camper, a snowmobile trailer and other belongings from the yard were carried off by the river. Neighbours and friends dug a trench around the house as the water rose, Dubay said, adding, "It was coming in through our front doors."

Flooding was also reported in southern New Mexico. Forecasters said the flood risk would shift into parts of the central United States from late Tuesday into Wednesday.

From late Wednesday, widespread heavy rain was expected to reach the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio areas. Life-threatening flash flooding was possible, with low-lying areas particularly vulnerable.

Parts of west Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa were under flood watch through Thursday, with some areas forecast to receive up to 5 inches (13 centimetres) of rain.