McKinley County, New Mexico — The National Weather Service in Albuquerque says a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for southwestern McKinley County until 8:30 PM MDT Thursday evening.

## What is happening:

At 6:23 PM MDT, forecasters noted rainfall had eased for a moment, but more thunderstorms are moving into the warned area through the evening. Up to an inch and three-quarters of rain has already come down, and flash flooding has already been observed. The risk continues into the mid-evening hours. Gallup, Zuni Pueblo, Vanderwagen, Black Rock, Church Rock, Rock Springs, Yah-Ta-Hey, Red Rock State Park, Chi Chil Tah, and Allison are all inside the warning area, including Interstate 40.

## Local impacts:

Small creeks and streams, city streets, highways, underpasses, and low-lying areas are flooding. Arroyos and normally dry riverbeds can turn into raging currents within minutes — water from upstream rain can take hours to reach you.

## What to do:

- Turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads — most flood deaths happen in vehicles.

- If you see water rising around you, get to higher ground immediately.

- Do not camp along streams or rivers tonight, and stay alert when hiking near steep, narrow canyons.

*Source: National Weather Service Albuquerque, October 22, 2026. Reported by TNW News.*