The National Weather Service has issued Flood Warnings covering 16 areas across several states, with the most recent warning issued by NWS Albuquerque, New Mexico at 10:30 PM MDT on September 17 and remaining in effect until 2:15 PM MDT on September 18.
As of the latest update, the affected counties include Chaves, Lincoln, and Otero counties in New Mexico; Auglaize and Mercer counties in Ohio; Polk and Warren counties in Iowa; and Wells, Adams, and Allen counties in Indiana, with six additional areas also under warning. A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent – this is a step above a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable for flooding.
Residents in these areas may notice rapidly rising water on roads, in ditches, and in low-lying areas, as well as swollen creeks and streams. In the New Mexico counties especially, heavy rain from slow-moving thunderstorms can produce flash flooding in normally dry washes and arroyos, which can fill with fast-moving water in minutes.
What to keep in mind
Never drive through flooded roads. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and a foot of water can float most vehicles. Turn around, don’t drown.
Stay alert overnight. Much of this warning period covers nighttime hours, when flooded roads are hardest to see. Keep a flashlight and phone charged, and make sure wireless emergency alerts are enabled on your phone.
Move valuables and be ready to relocate. If you live in a flood-prone or low-lying area, move important items off ground floors and know your quickest route to higher ground.
This information comes from the National Weather Service (NWS), which issues and updates Flood Warnings through its local forecast offices, including NWS Albuquerque.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in a warned area?
Avoid driving, especially at night, and never cross water-covered roads. If you live in a low-lying area or near a creek or arroyo, be prepared to move to higher ground quickly.
How long will this last?
The current Flood Warning from NWS Albuquerque runs until 2:15 PM MDT on September 18, though warnings can be extended, shortened, or reissued depending on rainfall and water levels.
What's the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?
A Watch means flooding is possible; a Warning means flooding is happening now or about to happen. The current alerts are Warnings, so conditions in these 16 areas should be taken seriously.
Why are so many states listed under one alert?
The National Weather Service has multiple active Flood Warnings from different local offices at once. Each county listed is under its own local warning – check your county's specific forecast office for details on your area.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: First Quarter (40% illuminated), in Sagittarius.
Notable planetary angles: Moon trine Saturn (119°), Sun sextile Mars (61°), Mercury opposite Saturn (179°), Moon sextile Mercury (62°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 1.7; 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.
