Key facts
- Alert
- High Wind Warning (minor)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service offices: El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Midland/Odessa TX
- Areas
- Lowlands of the Bootheel; Uplands of the Bootheel; Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County; Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet; Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains
- In effect
- until 12:00 AM MDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“east winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph”
National Weather Service offices: El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Midland/Odessa TX, High Wind Warning, 9:24 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.”
National Weather Service offices: El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Midland/Odessa TX, High Wind Warning, 9:24 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero.”
National Weather Service offices: El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Midland/Odessa TX, High Wind Warning, 9:24 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Stay away from trees and power lines.
If you must drive, take extra care in a high profile vehicle. Travel could be difficult, and blowing dust can cut visibility to near zero.
If you encounter blowing dust on the road or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep your foot off the brake pedal.
People with respiratory problems should prepare to stay indoors until the storm passes.
Context
The National Weather Service also has a Blowing Dust Advisory in effect until 8 PM MDT this evening, with visibility between one-quarter and one mile at times.
FEMA flood-insurance claims in the affected counties include 51 in one county from 1978 to 2021, 11 in another from 1983 to 2021, and 3 in a third from 2006 to 2008. These counts cover only insured properties and are about flood claims, not wind damage.
Updates
- The high wind warning expired at 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service cancelled the high wind warning.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- National Weather Service offices: El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Midland/Odessa TX issued the high wind warning until 12:00 AM MDT.
History here
This county: 11 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1983, most recent 2021.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
This county: 3 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 2006, most recent 2008.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-1659 (2006): severe storms and flooding
This county: 51 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2021.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a High Wind Warning in the New Mexico Bootheel?
- Yes. The National Weather Service has a High Wind Warning in effect for the New Mexico Bootheel until 12:00 AM MDT. It was last issued at 11:40 AM MDT on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- How strong will the wind be?
- The National Weather Service expects east winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
- Is there also a blowing dust advisory?
- Yes. A Blowing Dust Advisory is in effect until 8 PM MDT this evening. Visibility may drop to between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust at times.
Sources
- National Weather Service offices: El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM, Midland/Odessa TX: High Wind Warning, Oct 16, 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.