Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
- Areas
- Otero, NM; El Paso, TX
- Places
- Northeast El Paso, Chaparral, Fort Bliss, Fort Bliss Northeast, Biggs Field
- In effect
- until 9:30 PM MDT, Oct 23, 2026
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“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, 6:32 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 6:32 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Flash Flood Warning, 6:32 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive into flooded roads. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Turn around and find another route, and never drive around barricades.
Move to higher ground if you are in a low-lying area, near a small creek or stream, or near an underpass. Stay aware of your surroundings while the warning is in effect.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
If you see flooding and can do so safely, report it to local emergency services or law enforcement so they can pass it to the National Weather Service.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses. Otero County, New Mexico, has 130 claims from 1983 to 2025. El Paso County, Texas, has 781 claims from 1978 to 2026. Both figures are as of September 9, 2026.
Otero County's most recent FEMA disaster declaration was for severe storms, flooding, and landslides on July 22, 2025. El Paso County's most recent flood-related declaration in this record was for severe storms and flooding on August 15, 2006.
Updates
- The flash flood warning is no longer in effect.
- NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM issued the flash flood warning until 9:30 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
El Paso County: 781 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
El Paso County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4586 (2021): severe winter storms
- DR-1658 (2006): severe storms and flooding
- DR-1624 (2006): extreme wildfire threat
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 El Paso, Texas?
- Yes. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning at 6:32 PM MDT for north central El Paso County. It lasts until 9:30 PM MDT on Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Which areas are affected by the Otero and El Paso County flash flood warning?
- The warning covers southwestern Otero County, New Mexico, and north central El Paso County, Texas. Places named include Northeast El Paso, Chaparral, Fort Bliss, Fort Bliss Northeast, and Biggs Field.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- Radar indicated that between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain had fallen as of 6:32 PM MDT. The National Weather Service said up to 0.5 inches more is possible, and flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Sources
- NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 23, 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.