The National Weather Service office in El Paso, Texas / Santa Teresa, New Mexico has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The warning was issued on September 29 at 1:47 PM MDT and remains in effect until 4:45 PM MDT.
A flash flood warning means flooding is already occurring or is about to begin in the warned area. In southern New Mexico, heavy rainfall can quickly fill arroyos, washes, and low-water crossings that are normally dry. Water can rise within minutes, and even shallow, fast-moving water is dangerous – it takes only about six inches of moving water to knock an adult off their feet and around 12 inches to carry away a small vehicle.
Residents in and around Doña Ana County, including low-lying areas, burn scar zones, and spots near arroyos or poor-drainage roads, may notice rapidly rising water, ponding on roadways, and debris in normally dry channels. Drivers should be especially cautious on rural roads and at low-water crossings.
What to keep in mind
Never drive through flooded roads. Turn around and find another route – you cannot judge water depth or road condition from the driver’s seat.
Move to higher ground if you are in a low-lying area, camping in a wash, or near a drainage channel. Do not wait to see how high the water gets.
Monitor local alerts through weather radio, local news, or official county notifications, as additional warnings may be issued if heavy rain continues beyond 4:45 PM MDT.
This alert is based on data from the National Weather Service El Paso / Santa Teresa forecast office, part of NOAA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in Doña Ana County?
Avoid driving through any flooded roads or low-water crossings, stay away from arroyos and drainage channels, and move to higher ground if water is rising near your home. Keep monitoring local weather alerts until the warning expires at 4:45 PM MDT.
How long will this flash flood threat last?
The current warning runs until 4:45 PM MDT on September 29, but the NWS may extend it or issue new warnings if heavy rain continues. Flooding in arroyos can also persist after the rain stops as water drains downstream.
Is it safe to drive through a flooded road if the water looks shallow?
No. Just 12 inches of moving water can sweep away a small car, and floodwater often hides washed-out pavement underneath. The safest choice is always to turn around and find another route.
Could this affect areas outside Doña Ana County?
Heavy rain and runoff can move downstream into neighboring areas along arroyos and rivers, so nearby communities should also stay alert. Check for any additional warnings from the NWS El Paso / Santa Teresa office if you are near the county line.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waning Gibbous (88% illuminated), in Taurus.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury square Mars (88°), Moon square Jupiter (92°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 0.7; 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.
