Southwest Braces for More After Catastrophic Flooding Forces Evacuations
WHO:
NY Post - Families were trapped on rooftops, and helicopter crews carried out rescues.
NBC News - Authorities urged families to evacuate when asked.
NBC News - Steve Patterson reported on images of the flooding.
WHAT:
KOAT - Severe thunderstorms could produce very large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes.
KOAT - The Storm Prediction Center said tornado risk was low but could not be completely ruled out.
NY Post - The article described the flooding as “Once-in-a-generation” and said raging floodwaters trapped families on rooftops and prompted helicopter rescues.
NY Post - More flooding was expected through the weekend.
NBC News - Fast-moving, catastrophic floodwaters prompted evacuations and surged across the Southwest.
WHERE:
KOAT - Central New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Los Lunas, Socorro, T or C, Las Cruces, and Deming, was in the severe-weather risk area.
NY Post - Floodwaters hit northwest New Mexico.
NBC News - Floodwaters surged across the Southwest.
HOW:
NY Post - Helicopters rescued people trapped on rooftops.
NBC News - Authorities urged families to evacuate when asked.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 09:59 UTC)
Catastrophic, fast-moving floodwaters surged across the Southwest, trapping families on rooftops in northwest New Mexico and prompting helicopter crews to carry out rescues. Authorities urged families to evacuate when asked as floodwaters spread. More flooding was expected through the weekend. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms could bring very large hail and damaging winds across central New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Los Lunas, Socorro, Truth or Consequences, Las Cruces, and Deming. The Storm Prediction Center said the tornado risk was low, though an isolated tornado could not be ruled out. The dangerous conditions span a broad area, with flooding and severe weather threatening communities across the region. Residents were urged to follow evacuation directions and remain alert as the storms and floodwaters continue.
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(UPDATED October 24, 2026 08:01 UTC)
Catastrophic, fast-moving floodwaters surged across the Southwest, inundating parts of northwest New Mexico and trapping families on rooftops. The flooding was described as a once-in-a-generation event, with raging water leaving some people stranded as conditions worsened. Helicopter crews carried out rescues, lifting people from rooftops to safety. Authorities urged families to evacuate when asked, as the dangerous waters spread through affected communities. Images of the flooding showed the scale of the emergency, with NBC News correspondent Steve Patterson reporting on the scenes. More flooding was expected through the weekend, raising the risk of further inundation and additional rescues. Families in the region faced an urgent situation as floodwaters continued to move quickly, and officials emphasized the need to follow evacuation directions.