Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- Cibola, NM; McKinley, NM; Sandoval, NM
- Places
- Marquez, Cebolletita, Seboyeta, Bibo, Paguate, Encinal
- In effect
- until 7:30 PM MDT, Oct 23, 2026
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 6:38 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 6:38 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 6:38 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Stay aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. If you meet water over a road, turn around and find another route. The National Weather Service notes that most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Be extra careful at low water crossings, underpasses and other low-lying areas. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Move to higher ground if water is rising near you. Never drive around barricades. Check National Weather Service updates until the warning ends at 7:30 PM MDT.
Context
The warning covers parts of Cibola, McKinley and Sandoval counties. The National Weather Service said some areas had already received heavy rain over the previous couple of days, and up to 0.75 inches more was possible in the warned area.
FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses. The counts are 28 for Cibola County, 20 for McKinley County and 51 for Sandoval County. All three counties have had past federal disaster declarations that involved flooding, including declaration 4152 in October 2013.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 7:30 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the flash flood warning; it remains in effect until 7:30 PM MDT.
- NWS Albuquerque NM issued the flash flood warning until 7:30 PM MDT.
History here
Cibola County: 28 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2024.
Cibola County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-4047 (2011): flooding
- DR-1936 (2010): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
McKinley County: 20 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2026.
McKinley County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-1936 (2010): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
Sandoval County: 51 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2026.
Sandoval County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4652 (2022): wildfires, straight-line winds, flooding, mudflows, and debris flows
- DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-4148 (2013): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4079 (2012): flooding
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Cibola, McKinley or Sandoval County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a Flash Flood Warning at 3:33 PM MDT for parts of all three counties. It lasts until 7:30 PM MDT on October 23.
- Which places are affected by the warning?
- The National Weather Service named Marquez, Cebolletita, Seboyeta, Bibo, Paguate and Encinal as places that may see flash flooding. The warning covers southwestern Sandoval, northeastern Cibola and east central McKinley counties.
- How much rain has fallen and how much more is expected?
- Radar indicated up to 1 inch of rain had fallen by 3:33 PM MDT. The National Weather Service said up to 0.75 inches more was possible in the warned area.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 23, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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