Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
- Areas
- Dona Ana, NM; Sierra, NM
- Places
- Garfield
- In effect
- until 11:00 PM MDT, Oct 29, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 7:56 PM MDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 7:56 PM MDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
“According to the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, there is significant water in the watershed upstream of Mcleod Dam with uncertainty in the integrity of the dam.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 7:56 PM MDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive on flooded roads. Turn around and find another route. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles, and 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
Move to higher ground if water is rising near you. Never drive around barricades. Stay away from creeks, streams, underpasses and low spots while the warning is in effect.
Stay aware of your surroundings and follow local emergency officials. If you can do so safely, report flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement so they can pass it to the National Weather Service.
Context
Flood insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood damage. FEMA records show 209 claims in Dona Ana County between 1978 and 2026, and 15 in Sierra County between 1979 and 2020.
Both counties have past FEMA disaster declarations for storms and flooding. Dona Ana County's most recent was number 4886 in July 2025, and Sierra County's most recent was number 4199 in October 2014.
Updates
- The flash flood warning is no longer in effect.
- NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM issued the flash flood warning until 11:00 PM MDT.
History here
Dona Ana County: 209 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Dona Ana County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4886 (2025): severe storms, flooding, and landslides
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
Sierra County: 15 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2020.
Sierra County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4199 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-4148 (2013): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1962 (2011): severe winter storm and extreme cold temperatures
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
Get these alerts on your iPhone
Herebeat is an iPhone app that shows official alerts like these (National Weather Service warnings, earthquakes, wildfires, air quality and more) for the places you save, each with its source and issue time. Download Herebeat on the App Store.
Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Dona Ana County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in El Paso issued a Flash Flood Warning for northwestern Dona Ana County at 7:56 PM MDT. It runs until 11:00 PM MDT on October 29, 2026.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- Radar indicated thunderstorms had produced between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain. Up to 0.25 inches more is possible, and flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
- Which places are affected by this warning?
- The warning covers northwestern Dona Ana County and southern Sierra County in south central New Mexico. Garfield is named as a place that will experience flash flooding.
Sources
- NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 29, 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.