Flood Watch in Effect for Torrance County and Central New Mexico
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flood Watch for much of central New Mexico, including Torrance County and the Estancia Valley, through midnight MDT Sunday, September 28, 2025. The alert also covers the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, the Santa Fe metro area, the Central Highlands, and the Middle Rio Grande Valley, including Albuquerque.
Forecasters warn that multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through the evening as a slow-moving storm system spreads deep subtropical moisture over the state. Rainfall rates may exceed 1 inch per hour, raising the potential for flash flooding.
Expected Impacts:
- Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas
- Risk of flooding in poor drainage and urban zones
- Low-water crossings may be impassable
- Storm drains and ditches could become clogged with debris
- In the Albuquerque area, the greatest threat will be in arroyos flowing from the Sandia Mountains
Soils across the region are already saturated from weekend rainfall, with totals of 0.5 to 1.5 inches reported from Santa Fe southward along and east of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. Additional rainfall may quickly overwhelm natural and manmade drainage.
Local Concerns for Torrance County:
Residents of Mountainair, the Estancia Valley, and nearby communities should remain especially cautious. Fast-moving thunderstorms can produce flash flooding in arroyos and rural roadways, creating dangerous travel conditions with little warning.
For updates, consult the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service and register for emergency notifications through the Torrance County Department of Emergency Management’s Code Red system.