Pacific‑originating moisture surged inland Wednesday, bringing widespread rain to the central United States. The most notable impact was in New Mexico, where standing water overtopped a minor dam and flooded fields near homes, prompting concerns for the state’s famed chile crop.

Local flooding and emergency response

National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Lundeen reported significant water accumulation in agricultural areas, noting that the Rio Grande, which had run dry for miles, was now overflowing. The excess water threatens the chile harvest, with growers warning of mold, disease and delayed picking.

Preston Mitchell, a board member of the Hatch Chile Association, said, “There will be nobody picking chile for at least five or six days. All these growers whose fields were flooded, everything’s toast.”

Acting Governor Howie Morales declared a state of emergency, making $3.75 million available through local governments to assist affected residents with temporary housing, healthcare, food and transportation.

Broader regional impacts

From Colorado across the Great Plains to Iowa, up to two inches of rain fell, with some locations receiving more. Texas and Oklahoma saw additional storms, including a flood‑inducing event in Amarillo that produced a tornado and delivered 3.5 inches of rain.

In southern New Mexico, continued rain raised concerns about rot and disease in red chile fields as the harvest wraps up.

Hurricane Rachel and related systems

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center identified a new tropical cyclone, Hurricane Rachel, located about 185 miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Forecasts show Rachel could intensify to a major hurricane with sustained winds exceeding 111 mph, though it remains far from land and poses no immediate threat to the United States.

Mexican authorities remain on alert in the states of Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco, where schools were closed as a precaution. The hurricane center noted that coastal watches and warnings have been discontinued, but isolated rainfall totals of up to 12 inches and heavy surf are possible along the Pacific coast.

Other tropical activity

In the central Pacific, Tropical Storm Nolo, formerly a hurricane, drenched parts of Hawaii’s Big Island with winds near 50 mph. In the Atlantic, remnants of Hurricane Polo contributed to the rain that affected the central U.S.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.