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Heat Wave!
Record highs, in the 90's to 100's! This was throgh a 3 mnth period: June, July, and August. -
Flood!
Flash flood. Estimated 1.2" of rain washed out Golf Course Road and 23rd Street. Lesser damage elsewhere. -
City-hood at last!
Rio Rancho officially becomes a City as residents approve incorporation. -
The Results!
Census 1980 figures released; Rio Rancho population is reported as 11,600. -
Another Drought...
Drought. Below normal rainfall January-June with no precipitation from May through July 6. (Note: This was followed by 26 days with rain between July 7 and September 30 including the two damaging flash floods noted below.) -
Flash Flood!
Flash flood. Estimated 1.73" rain caused damage along Lisbon Road and Tulip Road. A motorist was trapped in their automobile by flooding along the Lisbon Channel and had to be rescued -
Bombs Away!
Bomb explosion. A homemade bomb exploded near the Anchor Inn, Star Heights area. It left a crater 12" deep and 30" in diameter. No injuries or damage -
Snow!
Major snowstorm hit the area. More snows in January and February 1983. -
Civil Disorder!
Some 25 officers from Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo and the State Police raided a house party; 42 adults (18 years old and up) arrested and 78 juveniles (11-17 years old) taken into custody. Most charges related to underage drinking and serving alcohol to minors. Remains the largest civil incident in City history -
Crash Sites!
Aircraft crash. An ultra light aircraft crashed on the golf course; one injury -
Fire! Fire!
Major fire. A fire at the Sandoval County Landfill burned for two days; noxious smoke covered Rio Rancho due to northerly winds -
Storm!
Wind storm. Steady 40 MPH winds with gusts to 60 MPH uprooted trees, blew down fences, damaged roofs and storage buildings throughout the City; 3" of snow followed in the evening. -
No Power!
Power outage. Some 600 homes were without power for 3 ½ hours. -
Health Emergency!
Public health emergency. Employee of La Petite Academy Preschool diagnosed with tuberculosis. Tests conducted on 176 adults and children; two more positives. -
Blizzard!
Winter storm. The "Arctic Express" blanketed the state with snow. Two more storms hit later in the week. Temperatures below zero with highs only in the 20s through December 31. Hundreds of calls regarding frozen pipes. -
Water Breakage!
Water main break. An 18" main on Northern Boulevard west of Stapleton Elementary School ruptured. Roadway washed out by estimated 1.7 million gallons of water lost before shut off. School closed. -
Flood! (Another one)
Flash flood/Wind storm. Heavy rains damaged Highway 528. A washout 5' deep and 50' long along the roadway allowed a sewage pipe to separate; spill was 25,000 gallons of treated effluent. Separately, at the Gospel Light Baptist Church. -
The Dust Storm!
Wind storms/Dust storms. Frequent problems throughout the area. Numerous days with high winds and blowing dust. Albuquerque Airport recorded a peak gust of 80 MPH in March, Sandia Peak a gust of 106 MPH. -
Bus Crash!
Multi-casualty incident. An 81-year-old blinded by morning sun drove her car over children boarding a school bus; 10 injured including 2 critical. -
No Rain?
Drought. Mayor declared emergency due to dry conditions. Fireworks banned. County banned fireworks and open burning the same week. City Council confirmed ban May 22 and extended for 90 days.
