Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- Cibola, NM; McKinley, NM; Sandoval, NM; San Juan, NM
- Places
- Pueblo Pintado, Ojo Encino, Torreon Navajo Mission, Counselor, San Mateo, Torreon
- In effect
- until 1:30 AM 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, 10:05 PM MDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 10:05 PM MDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 10:05 PM MDT Oct 22, 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. Never drive around barricades.
If you are near small creeks, streams, underpasses or low-lying areas, move to higher ground. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Be extra careful at night, when flood dangers are harder to see. If you must travel, avoid Highway 550 between Mile Markers 74 and 99, which the warning says is included in the flooding area.
Stay alert for updates from the National Weather Service. Additional rainfall of up to 0.75 inches is possible in the warned area.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood damage. Records show 28 claims in Cibola County, 20 in McKinley County and 51 in Sandoval County.
Past federal disaster declarations in these counties include flooding events. Examples are declaration 4152 in October 2013 for severe storms, flooding, and mudslides, covering Cibola, McKinley and Sandoval counties.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 1:30 AM MDT.
- NWS Albuquerque NM issued the flash flood warning until 1:30 AM 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 Sandoval County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has a Flash Flood Warning in effect until 1:30 AM MDT for northwestern Sandoval County and nearby areas.
- Which places are affected by the flash flood warning?
- The warning names Pueblo Pintado, Ojo Encino, Torreon Navajo Mission, Counselor, San Mateo and Torreon. It also includes Highway 550 between Mile Markers 74 and 99.
- How much rain has fallen?
- Doppler radar indicated between 1 and 2 inches of rain has fallen. Up to 0.75 inches more is possible in the warned area.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 22, 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.