Active Weather Alerts
Local Area Emergency
Issued: 10:48 PM Sep. 17, 2026 – National Weather Service
...Ongoing Flash Flooding... The following message is transmitted at the request of Village of Ruidoso. Lincoln County OES. Flash Flooding OBSERVED in Ruidoso Downs. MOVE to higher ground. Lincoln County Emergency Management: Flash Flood Alert for Ruidoso Downs along Rio Ruidoso. Rapidly rising floodwaters may impact roadways and low-lying areas. Avoid travel and move to higher ground if threatened. Do NOT drive through flooded roads. Personnel needing shelter can go to the Ruidoso Downs Senior Center. &&
Flood Warning
Issued: 10:32 PM Sep. 17, 2026 – National Weather Service
...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Southeastern Lincoln County in central New Mexico... West Central Chaves County in southeastern New Mexico... * WHEN...Until 1030 PM MDT. * IMPACTS...Flood waters are expected in Whitetail Canyon which will flow into the Rio Felix this afternoon through this evening. Flooding of these areas and other adjacent low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent. Water levels will continue to rise due to excess runoff from today's rainfall. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 428 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms near Whitetail in the Sacramento Mountains. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warned area. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Mainly rural areas of Southeastern Lincoln and West Central Chaves Counties. - Impacts are expected within Whitetail Canyon, along Picacho Road including Clements Ranch, in and along the Rio Felix. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. &&
Flash Flood Warning
Issued: 10:29 PM Sep. 17, 2026 – National Weather Service
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has extended the * Flash Flood Warning for... The Salt burn scar in... South Central Lincoln County in central New Mexico... * Until 630 PM MDT. * At 429 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing light to moderate rain over the impacted areas. Between 1.50 and 2.50 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.75 inches are possible in the warned area as new showers and thunderstorms move into the affected area. Significant flash flooding is already occurring. HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Showers and thunderstorms producing flash flooding. SOURCE...Emergency management reported evacuations ongoing in the Ruidoso Downs area. IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding, especially in the Ruidoso Downs area. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Ruidoso Downs and Glencoe. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks, streams and ditches. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety. Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely. && FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED; FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
Flash Flood Warning
Issued: 9:59 PM Sep. 17, 2026 – National Weather Service
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Southern Lincoln County in central New Mexico... * Until 700 PM MDT. * At 359 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.25 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.75 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Mainly rural areas of Southern Lincoln County, including Forest Service Road 443. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe. Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely. && FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
Flood Advisory
Issued: 8:21 PM Sep. 17, 2026 – National Weather Service
...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...Central Lincoln County in central New Mexico... * WHEN...Until 515 PM MDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Rises in small streams and normally dry arroyos. Dangerous flows over low-water crossings. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 221 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause arroyo and small stream flooding. Between 0.5 and 1.25 inches of rain have fallen. - Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.75 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Jicarilla. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. In hilly or mountainous terrain there are numerous low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route. &&
Flood Watch
Issued: 6:18 PM Sep. 17, 2026 – National Weather Service
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwestern, north central, and central New Mexico. This includes Farmington, Shiprock, Bloomfield, Aztec, Dulce, Chama, Cuba, Los Alamos, Taos, Espanola, Angel Fire, Red River, Eagle Nest, Santa Fe, Glorieta, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Sandia Crest, Sedillo, Belen, Los Lunas, and Socorro. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Additional rounds of showers and storms are likely later this afternoon through the overnight hours. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour may occur with storms during the afternoon and early evening, with lighter rainfall overnight. Wildfire burn scars, urban areas, communities with underdeveloped infrastructure, complex terrain, and areas where the ground is already saturated will at risk for rapid runoff and flash flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/abq/EmergencyPrepFlood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&
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