Key facts
- Alert
- Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- Bernalillo, NM; Cibola, NM; McKinley, NM; Sandoval, NM; Valencia, NM
- Places
- Laguna Pueblo, Marquez, Cebolletita, Mesita, New Laguna, Cubero, San Fidel, Skyline-Ganipa, McCartys
- In effect
- until 6:15 AM MDT, Oct 23, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flood Warning, 12:12 AM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flood Warning, 12:12 AM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Flood Warning, 12:12 AM MDT Oct 23, 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. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Use extra caution tonight. It is harder to recognize flood dangers in the dark. Never drive around barricades.
If you are near an arroyo, creek or stream, or in a low-lying area, move to higher ground. Stay away from fast-moving or standing water.
The warning lasts until 6:15 AM MDT Friday. Check for updates from the National Weather Service, since more rain is possible in the warned area.
Context
Flood-insurance claims show past flood losses only for insured homes and businesses, so they understate total flooding. FEMA records 174 claims in Bernalillo County, 28 in Cibola County and 20 in McKinley County. These span 1978 through 2026 depending on the county.
FEMA has also issued disaster declarations for flooding and severe storms in these counties. Cibola County has four, most recently 4152 on October 29, 2013. Bernalillo County has one, 4148 on September 30, 2013.
Updates
- The flood warning is no longer in effect.
- NWS Albuquerque NM issued the flood warning until 6:15 AM MDT.
History here
Bernalillo County: 174 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
Bernalillo County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4148 (2013): severe storms and flooding
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
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Questions
- Is there a flood warning in Bernalillo County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has a Flood Warning in effect for parts of Bernalillo County until 6:15 AM MDT Friday. It also covers parts of Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval and Valencia counties.
- Which places could flood in this warning?
- The National Weather Service names Laguna Pueblo, Marquez, Cebolletita, Mesita, New Laguna, Cubero, San Fidel, Skyline-Ganipa, McCartys and Acoma Pueblo. Tributaries leading into the Rio San Jose and Rio Puerco will also be affected.
- How much rain has fallen?
- Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to 4 inches across the region after very heavy rain Thursday evening. Up to 1 inch more is possible in the warned area.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: 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.