Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- Chaves, NM; Lincoln, NM
- Places
- Roswell
- In effect
- until 1:00 AM MDT, Oct 26, 2026
- Detection
- Observed
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 10:04 PM MDT Oct 25, 2026 · official alert
“Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 10:04 PM MDT Oct 25, 2026 · official alert
“This includes Highway 380 between Mile Markers 156 and 162.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 10:04 PM MDT Oct 25, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive through flooded roads. The National Weather Service says to turn around, don't drown, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive around barricades.
Be extra careful tonight. It is harder to see the dangers of flooding in the dark. If you are near Highway 380 between Mile Markers 156 and 162, or in the Roswell area, plan to avoid low-lying roads and underpasses.
Stay away from arroyos, creeks, streams and low water crossings. Both nearby and distant heavy rain can cause sudden, dangerous flows. Move to higher ground if water begins to rise.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 132 claims in Chaves County and 269 in Lincoln County between 1978 and 2025. These counts cover only insured properties, so they do not capture all flood damage.
Both counties have had federal disaster declarations involving flooding. Chaves County's most recent was in November 2024 for severe storm and flooding. Lincoln County's most recent was in July 2025 for severe storms, flooding, and landslides.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 1:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the flash flood warning; it remains in effect until 1:00 AM MDT.
- NWS Albuquerque NM issued the flash flood warning until 1:00 AM MDT.
History here
Chaves County: 132 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
Chaves County: recent federal disaster declarations
Lincoln County: 269 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
Lincoln County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4886 (2025): severe storms, flooding, and landslides
- DR-4795 (2024): south fork fire, salt fire, and flooding
- DR-4652 (2022): wildfires, straight-line winds, flooding, mudflows, and debris flows
- DR-4199 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Roswell, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a Flash Flood Warning at 8:55 PM MDT on Sunday, October 25, 2026, that includes Roswell. It runs until 1:00 AM MDT.
- What areas are under the flash flood warning?
- The warning covers central Chaves County and southeastern Lincoln County in New Mexico. It includes Roswell and Highway 380 between Mile Markers 156 and 162.
- How much rain has fallen?
- Trained weather spotters reported between 1 and 2 inches of rain. The National Weather Service says an additional 1 to 1.5 inches is possible in the warned area.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 25, 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.