Socorro County, New Mexico — A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for north central Socorro County and southwestern Valencia County in central New Mexico through 7:15 PM Mountain time. Doppler radar showed thunderstorms dumping heavy rain across the warned area Friday afternoon, and flash flooding is already happening or expected to begin shortly.

What is happening: At 3:11 PM Mountain time, thunderstorms were producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 2 inches of rain had already fallen, with another inch possible through the evening. The National Weather Service says flash flooding is ongoing or about to start and the warning runs into the evening hours.

Local impacts: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, plus poor-drainage and low-lying areas. Locations that will experience flooding include Bernardo, La Joya, the Walking Sands Rest Area, and the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Arroyos, streams, and normally dry riverbeds can become raging, deadly currents in a matter of minutes — and water from upstream rains can take hours to arrive at your location.

What to do:

- Turn around, don't drown — never drive across a flooded road. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

- Do not try to cross flooded roads. Find another route.

- Keep away from arroyos and normally dry washes, even if the rain seems far away.

- If you run into floodwater, climb to safety on higher ground.

*Source: National Weather Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Warning issued September 25, 2026. Reported by TNW News.*