Georgette drops plenty of rain in Grant County

By JIM OWEN-Daily

Press Staff

A storm system Wednesday night and this morning brought heavy rain, street flooding, wind and fog to Grant County.

Tropical Depression Georgette came through the area overnight, dumping between .3 and 1.5 inches of rain, according to meteorologist Lance Tripoli of the National Weather Service.“ Some isolated areas, in the Gila Wilderness, got 2 inches or more,’ he said. “( In Grant County), it looks like there was one- half inch or more in places over 6,000 feet ( elevation).’

Parts of the Burro Mountains and other areas west of New Mexico 90, south of Silver City, received nearly 1.5 inches of rain, Tripoli reported. Just north of town, amounts ranged from .3 of an inch to nearly an inch.“ A low- pressure trough is moving through the Western states, drawing up abundant amounts of tropical moisture from the south, southwest and southeast,’ he explained. “ It is over south- central and southeast New Mexico this morning.

Though most of the rain had moved out of the region by early today, some commuters had to deal with dense fog. Visibility was limited to about 50 feet on New Mexico 90 near the Tyrone Mine at about 6: 30 a. m. The humidity level at the Grant County Airport was 94 percent at 7 a. m., according to the National Weather Service.

The agency reported that a rain gauge at the airport has recorded 4.66 inches of rain since mid- June. That indicates it has been a below- average “ monsoon’ season, as the historical average amount of rain for June through September at the airport is 8.73 inches.

However, according to Agriculture Agent Pete Walden of the Grant County Extension Service, only about 25 percent of the county has receivedbelow- average precipitation this rainy season. Some areas have gotten as much as 12 inches, he said.

The Silver City forecast calls for no more rain through at least Monday.

The Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority received reports of flooding or pooling on Cottage San Road at Artcher Road, on U. S. 180 east of Silver City, and in Santa Clara.

Cameron Creek, which runsthrough the middle of Santa Clara, typically floods following heavy rains. When it did so last night, authorities temporarily closed Bayard Street and some side streets until the water subsided.

Richard Bauch, the village’s mayor, also reported that Racetrack Road was blocked by fl oodwaters for a while.

Earl Moore, Grant County road superintendent, said early this morning that he had notyet received any calls about roads having been damaged or flooded.“ We’ve been trying to keep up with road damage ( caused by previous storms),’ he told the Daily Press. “ About the time we get caught up, it rains again.’

The rain came as good news for area ranchers, according to Walden.“ Good, hard rains like that recharge our watersheds, and help fi ll stock ponds so( livestock producers) don’t have to rely as much on wells and windmills,’ he said.

Receiving precipitation this time of year fosters the growth of winter weeds that provide high- protein feed for cattle.

However, Walden noted, the moisture also could bring on locoweed and peavine, which are toxic to livestock.

Jim Owen may be reached at jowen@ cybermesa. com.