The National Weather Service office in Flagstaff, Arizona issued a Flash Flood Warning early this morning, September 29, at 6:27 AM MST. The warning remains in effect until 9:45 AM MST and currently covers six areas: Coconino and Maricopa and Yavapai counties in Arizona, along with Grant, Luna, and Sierra counties in New Mexico.
A flash flood warning means flooding is already happening or is about to happen – this is more urgent than a watch. Heavy rain over a short period, especially in desert terrain where the ground can’t absorb water quickly, can send water rushing through normally dry washes, arroyos, and low-water crossings.
What you might notice if you’re in one of the affected counties: rapidly rising water in creeks and washes, water covering roads – especially at dips and low crossings – ponding in yards and streets, and possible debris like branches or rocks being carried by moving water. Water can rise in minutes, even if it isn’t raining hard right where you are; storms upstream can send runoff downstream quickly.
Who’s affected: residents and travelers in Coconino, Yavapai, and Maricopa counties in Arizona, and Grant, Luna, and Sierra counties in New Mexico. This includes anyone commuting early this morning or driving rural highways that cross washes and arroyos.
What to keep in mind
First: never drive or walk through flooded roads. Six inches of moving water can knock an adult down, and a foot can carry away a vehicle. If a road is flooded, turn around. Second: if you’re in a low-lying area or near a wash, be ready to move to higher ground quickly – don’t wait to see how bad it gets. Third: the warning currently expires at 9:45 AM MST, but the NWS may extend or expand it depending on rainfall, so check for updates before heading out, and avoid canyon bottoms and slot canyons entirely this morning.
This information comes from the National Weather Service office in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now?
Avoid driving until the warning expires if possible, and never cross flooded roads or low-water crossings – turn around and find another route. If you're near a wash, arroyo, or creek, stay alert and be ready to move to higher ground.
How long will this warning last?
The current warning runs until 9:45 AM MST on September 29. The NWS can extend it or issue new warnings if heavy rain continues, so check for updated alerts before traveling.
It's not raining hard where I am – am I still at risk?
Yes. Flash flooding is often caused by rain falling miles upstream, and runoff can arrive suddenly in washes and crossings downstream. Treat the warning as active for your whole county until it expires.
Which areas are included?
Coconino, Maricopa, and Yavapai counties in Arizona, plus Grant, Luna, and Sierra counties in New Mexico are currently covered by this warning.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waning Gibbous (90% illuminated), in Taurus.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury square Mars (88°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 1.3; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
