Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- McKinley, NM; Sandoval, NM
- Places
- Torreon Navajo Mission, Ojo Encino, Torreon
- In effect
- until 7:30 PM MDT, Oct 24, 2026
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 4:58 PM MDT Oct 24, 2026 · official alert
“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 4:58 PM MDT Oct 24, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flash Flood Warning, 4:58 PM MDT Oct 24, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Stay away from flooded roads. If you meet water over a road, turn around and find another route. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
If you are near Highway 550 between Mile Markers 73 and 89, expect flooding and avoid low-lying stretches. Never drive around barricades or into flooded roads.
Stay clear of arroyos, streams and normally dry rivers. Water in arroyos can travel many miles and take hours to reach you from upstream rain, so a clear sky overhead does not mean the danger has passed.
If you are in a low-lying area or near a creek, move to higher ground. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Context
Soils in the warned area were already saturated from rain on previous days, according to the National Weather Service. That can make new rain run off quickly.
FEMA flood-insurance records show 20 claims in McKinley County and 51 in Sandoval County since 1979 or 1980. These counts cover only insured properties, so they do not show all flood damage. Both counties have had federal disaster declarations that included flooding, including declaration 4152 in October 2013 and declaration 4652 in May 2022 for Sandoval County.
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
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 issued a Flash Flood Warning for western Sandoval County and northeastern McKinley County at 3:24 PM MDT. It lasts until 7:30 PM MDT on October 24.
- Which areas and roads are affected by this flash flood warning?
- Places named include Torreon Navajo Mission, Ojo Encino and Torreon. The warning also covers Highway 550 between Mile Markers 73 and 89.
- How much rain has fallen and how much more is possible?
- Radar indicated that up to 2 inches of rain has fallen today on already saturated soils. Up to 1.5 inches more is possible in the warned area through 6 PM MDT.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 24, 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.