UPDATE — 7:39 PM MDT: The National Weather Service has EXTENDED this warning through 9:45 PM MDT — and raised the threat. This is now LIFE-THREATENING flash flooding. Trained spotters report flooding already underway in northern Socorro after up to 2.5 inches of rain, with another inch possible. Locations seeing flooding: Socorro, Escondida, Lemitar, San Antonio, Luis Lopez, and Laborcita. Highway 60 between Mile Markers 122 and 138 and I-25 between Mile Markers 139 and 158 are inside the warned area. Turn around, don't drown: never try to cross a flooded road.

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. Heavy rainfall is letting up, but a high risk for flash flooding continues.

What is happening: In a 5:37 PM MDT update, the National Weather Service says heavy rainfall is letting up, but a high risk for flash flooding continues. Up to 2.5 inches of rain have fallen from earlier storms. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warned area.

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 and La Joya, including along Interstate 25 between Mile Markers 165 and 175. 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.*