Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
- Areas
- Otero, NM
- Places
- Lake Mescalero, Snow Canyon, Bear Canyon, Fence Canyon, the Otero-Lincoln County Line
- In effect
- until 2:30 PM MDT, Oct 29, 2026
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“This is a life threatening situation.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 1:43 PM MDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 1:43 PM MDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 1:43 PM MDT Oct 29, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Stay away from the Salt Burn Scar and from creeks, streams and ditches near it. The National Weather Service says flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, and debris flows can carry rock, mud and vegetation.
Do not drive into flooded roads. Turn around and find another route. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Never drive around barricades.
If you encounter flood waters, climb to safety and move to higher ground. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places, including parts of US Highway 70 between Apache Summit and the Otero-Lincoln County Line.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 130 claims in Otero County between 1983 and 2025. These counts only cover insured properties, so they do not show all flood damage in the county.
FEMA has made several disaster declarations for Otero County. Recent ones include declaration 4886 for severe storms, flooding and landslides on 2025-07-22, and declaration 4795 for the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire and flooding on 2024-06-20.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 2:30 PM MDT.
- NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM issued the flash flood warning until 2:30 PM MDT.
History here
Otero County: 130 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1983, most recent 2025.
Otero County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4886 (2025): severe storms, flooding, and landslides
- DR-4795 (2024): south fork fire, salt fire, and flooding
- DR-4199 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Otero County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in El Paso issued a Flash Flood Warning at 1:43 PM MDT for northern Otero County, and it runs until 2:30 PM MDT.
- Which areas are affected by the Salt Burn Scar flash flood warning?
- The warning covers the Salt Burn Scar in northern Otero County. Locations named include Lake Mescalero, Snow Canyon, Bear Canyon, Fence Canyon and parts of US Highway 70 between Apache Summit and the Otero-Lincoln County Line.
- How much rain has fallen on the Salt Burn Scar?
- Doppler radar indicated that between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen as of 1:43 PM MDT. The National Weather Service says up to 1 inch more is possible in the warned area.
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
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