Doña Ana County, New Mexico — Thunderstorms dumping heavy rain have put parts of southern New Mexico under a Flash Flood Warning this afternoon, and forecasters warn that water can rise dangerously fast in normally dry creek beds.

What is happening:

The National Weather Service office in El Paso and Santa Teresa issued a Flash Flood Warning at 3:49 PM Mountain time for north central Doña Ana County and southeastern Sierra County in south central New Mexico. The warning is in effect until 5:15 PM Mountain time.

Local impacts:

Torrential downpours dropped around an inch of rain along the south side of the county highway running through the Jornada del Muerto toward Spaceport America. Localized flooding is possible, and water levels are expected to rise in Rincon Arroyo. Flash flooding can swamp small creeks and streams, and it can turn highways, streets, underpasses, and low-lying areas into standing water in a hurry. Rural areas northeast of Rincon along the highway toward the Spaceport are in the flood zone.

What to do:

- Never drive through a flooded road — turn around. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.

- Keep watching even if it is not raining where you are — a desert wash can turn into a raging current in minutes from rain miles away.

- Move to higher ground if water starts rising near you.

Source: National Weather Service, El Paso/Santa Teresa. September 28, 2026.