2015 Philmont Scout Ranch flash flood

Throughout much of the summer of 2015, parts of New Mexico were experiencing a monsoon season, likely due to an El Niño.[1][2] Throughout the season, there had been many other flash flood warnings across New Mexico due to large storms.[1][3] Fifty years before the 2015 flood, on June 17, 1965, a similar flash flood had occurred at Philmont Scout Ranch.

On the night of June 26, the night before the flood, there were reports of hail[2] and light rain[4] in some areas of Philmont. On the early hours of the morning of June 27, the rain became heavier. Around 3:30 A.M., the National Weather Service issued a statement highlighting the threat of a flash flood in the area.[4] At around 4:30 A.M., a flash flood, with water levels of over 20 feet at the highest,[5][6] occurred in several areas of Philmont.[7][8][9] Some reported loud thunder and nearby lightning strikes before and during the flood.[4][10][11]

Outside of Philmont, there had been reports of mudflows and flooding along U.S. Route 64.[12] Boulders also tumbled down from canyons in the Cimarron area, causing damage to and blockage of roads.[13]

The morning of June 27, when the flood occurred, Crew 380 from Sacramento, California, was entering the third day of their twelve-day trek. They were situated at a campsite in Indian Writings[14] near North Ponil Canyon[15] that was about 20 feet above a small portion of Ponil Creek.[16][17] Troop 606, from Irving, TX, had recently camped at Ponil Canyon the night before, bringing the rising rivers to staff members attention. Four members of Crew 380, including 13 year-old Alden Brock, the ranger assisting the crew,[17] and two other youth Scouts were swept away by the flood from their campsite at about 4:30 am.[18][19] The New Mexico State Police arrived at around 9:35 am on a search and rescue mission.[20] The two Scouts and the ranger were quickly located but not Brock. They found Brock dead at around 11:00 am,[21] approximately one mile away from the location from which he was originally swept.[17][19] Crew 380 decided to finish their trek despite the incident in honor of Brock.[22] Brock's death received nationwide attention, particularly from the Scouting community; fatalities are exceedingly rare at Philmont, and this was the only flood-related fatality in Philmont's history.

Excessive brush accumulated as a result of the flood.

Shortly after the incident, Philmont staff notified the families of Scouts involved in the flood.[5][9][23] Many crews at Philmont associated with the flood were temporarily withheld by Philmont staff until further notice because of logistical issues and because of significant damage to trails.[9] Philmont and the New Mexico State Police also offered counseling for those involved in the flood.[6][24]

Many crews affected by the flood had lost many necessary items, such as tents, backpacks, and other camping gear.[8][25] Several trails and bridges were also severely damaged by the flood.[8][26]

Because of debris, mudflows, and road blockage, a large portion of U.S. Route 64 in New Mexico was closed for a period of nearly one full day.[12][13]

Crews affected by the flood were given the opportunity to choose whether they were to continue their treks or to leave Philmont. Some crews decided to leave Philmont,[27] while many decided to continue their treks.

The New Mexico State Police investigated the flood further with the intent of providing more information to improve future preparedness,[16] but came to no conclusions.[14] The investigators believed that the incident could not have easily been prevented.[14] Some campsites at Ponil, Cook Canyon, and Indian Writings were moved to higher ground.

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