Key facts
- Alert
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Albuquerque NM
- Areas
- Rio Arriba, NM; Sandoval, NM
- Places
- Abiquiu
- In effect
- until 7:45 PM MDT, Oct 23, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Possible
What the National Weather Service says
“Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 7:20 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“This storm is capable of producing widespread damaging winds.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 7:20 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Expect considerable tree damage.”
NWS Albuquerque NM, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 7:20 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
What to do
If you are outdoors, move inside a well-built building now and stay away from windows.
The National Weather Service also says tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Go to an interior room on the lowest floor and stay there until the warning ends.
Wind of this strength can damage trees, roofs, outbuildings and mobile homes. Stay clear of trees and loose objects, and follow local officials and the National Weather Service for updates.
Context
The warning covers parts of Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties. FEMA flood-insurance records show 31 claims in Rio Arriba County and 51 in Sandoval County. These counts include only insured properties, so they do not show all past storm or flood damage.
Both counties have past federal disaster declarations for severe storms and flooding, including declaration 4197 in October 2014. Rio Arriba had a 2024 declaration for fires and flooding, and Sandoval had a 2022 declaration that included straight-line winds.
Updates
- The severe thunderstorm warning expired at 7:45 PM MDT.
- NWS Albuquerque NM issued the severe thunderstorm warning until 7:45 PM MDT.
History here
Rio Arriba County: 31 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2018.
Rio Arriba County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4795 (2024): south fork fire, salt fire, and flooding
- DR-4197 (2014): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4152 (2013): severe storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-1962 (2011): severe winter storm and extreme cold temperatures
- 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
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Questions
- Is there a severe thunderstorm warning in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect until 7:45 PM MDT for south central Rio Arriba County and northeastern Sandoval County.
- How strong is the storm near Abiquiu?
- At 7:20 PM MDT the storm was 12 miles northwest of Los Alamos, moving northeast at 30 mph. Radar indicated 70 mph wind gusts and small hail, and Abiquiu is among the locations impacted.
- What damage can this storm cause?
- The National Weather Service expects considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings.
Sources
- NWS Albuquerque NM: Severe Thunderstorm 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.