Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- Lincoln, NM
- In effect
- until 9:15 PM MDT, Oct 24, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 9:09 PM MDT Oct 24, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is already occurring.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 9:09 PM MDT Oct 24, 2026 · official alert
“This includes Highway 380 between Mile Markers 79 and 98.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 9:09 PM MDT Oct 24, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive into flooded roads. The National Weather Service says to turn around, don't drown, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
If you are near a creek, stream or arroyo, move to higher ground now. Never drive around barricades.
Arroyos, streams and normally dry rivers can become dangerous currents within minutes. Water in arroyos can travel many miles and take hours to reach you from rain upstream, so stay alert even if it is not raining where you are.
If you must travel on Highway 380 between Mile Markers 79 and 98, expect flooding and follow any road closures.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 269 claims in Lincoln County between 1978 and 2025, as of September 9, 2026. These counts cover only insured properties, so they do not show all flood damage in the county.
FEMA has made several disaster declarations for Lincoln County. The most recent is number 4886, dated July 22, 2025, for severe storms, flooding and landslides. Others include a 2024 declaration for the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire and flooding.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 9:15 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the flash flood warning; it remains in effect until 9:15 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the flash flood warning; it remains in effect until 9:15 PM MDT.
- NWS Albuquerque NM issued the flash flood warning until 9:15 PM MDT.
History here
Lincoln County: 269 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
Lincoln County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4886 (2025): severe storms, flooding, and landslides
- DR-4795 (2024): south fork fire, salt fire, and flooding
- DR-4652 (2022): wildfires, straight-line winds, flooding, mudflows, and debris flows
- DR-4199 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Lincoln County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a Flash Flood Warning for central Lincoln County at 6:16 PM MDT. It remains in effect until 9:15 PM MDT on October 24.
- Which places are affected by the Lincoln County flash flood warning?
- The warning names Lincoln, Capitan, Smokey Bear Historical Park, Lincoln State Monument and Angus. It also includes Highway 380 between Mile Markers 79 and 98.
- How serious is the flash flooding near Capitan, NM?
- The National Weather Service describes it as life-threatening. Emergency management reported thunderstorms with heavy rain in Magado Creek near Capitan, and flash flooding was already occurring at 6:16 PM MDT.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 24, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.