The soil in NM is largely composed of sand - by that I mean tiny spherical rock fragments. Its because it's a super windy, dry place. That soil type does not absorb water, the water channels off to the low ground. Albuquerque only experiences 13 inches of rain per year but the city spends enormously on flood control. This type of flash flood is not common but definitely not unheard of.

Also see what happened to Ruidoso, NM earlier this year. Huge fire then horrible flood right after.