Otero County, New Mexico —

What is happening: The National Weather Service in El Paso has issued a flash flood warning for north central Otero County in south central New Mexico, in effect through 9:00 PM MDT tonight. At 7:06 PM, Doppler radar picked up thunderstorms dropping heavy rain across the warned area. Up to an inch and a half of rain has already fallen, and flash flooding is happening now or expected to begin within minutes. Communities in the warning zone include Mescalero, Sunspot, Burro Flats, Bent, High Rolls, Mountain Park, La Luz, Upper and Lower Nogal Canyon, Karr Canyon, and Benson Ridge.

Local impacts: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, plus other poor-drainage and low-lying areas. This is a radar-indicated warning, which means forecasters are seeing the heavy rainfall on Doppler radar rather than waiting for ground reports.

What to do:

- Turn around, do not drown. Never drive through a flooded road — most flood deaths happen in vehicles.

- Stay alert even where it is not raining. Arroyos, streams, and rivers can turn into raging killer currents in a matter of minutes, even from rain falling miles away.

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

- Report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement when you can do so safely, and ask them to pass it to the National Weather Service.

Source: National Weather Service, October 23, 2026. Reported by TNW News.