BREAKING: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Doña Ana County, much of New Mexico

LAS CRUCES — The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Doña Ana County and much of New Mexico through 9 p.m. Friday, October 23, as emergency management officials warn residents to prepare for potentially damaging weather.

The watch, issued at 12:55 p.m. by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, covers 27 New Mexico counties, including Doña Ana, Otero, Luna, Hidalgo, Grant and Sierra counties in southern New Mexico.

Doña Ana County’s Office of Emergency Management is warning of hail, strong winds and rain Friday and Saturday, October 23–24, and is urging residents to take precautions to protect their families and property.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch indicates that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. Residents should remain alert for additional warnings, which may be issued if dangerous storms are detected or occurring.

County officials urge precautions

The Office of Emergency Management recommends bringing outdoor furniture, plants and household pets inside and parking vehicles in garages or covered structures when possible to protect them from hail.

Residents are advised to remain indoors during severe weather and avoid standing beneath skylights.

Officials also recommend avoiding unnecessary travel while severe storms are occurring. Motorists who encounter dangerous conditions should seek a safe location to stop when possible.

Residents should continue monitoring National Weather Service alerts and local emergency announcements throughout the storm system’s passage.

Property owners who experience storm damage are encouraged to document the damage and contact their insurance providers.

Storm conditions affecting other parts of New Mexico

The storm system is also producing hazardous conditions elsewhere in the state.

New Mexico State Parks has warned of flooding and potentially impassable roads in northwestern New Mexico, particularly near the San Juan River. Officials are advising people in low-lying and flood-prone areas to seek higher ground and warning motorists not to attempt to cross flooded roadways.

Photos Courtesy New Mexico State Parks

In southwestern New Mexico, the Gila National Forest reports high stream flows on Whitewater Creek, affecting access to the Catwalk National Recreation Trail and Whitewater Picnic Area east of Glenwood.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Forest Service/Gila National Forest

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is working to clear debris from a stream crossing in the area. Forest officials advise high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles for visitors while high water conditions persist.

These reports concern locations outside Doña Ana County but illustrate the widespread hazardous weather affecting New Mexico.

Emergency officials urge residents to enable phone alerts

With severe flooding affecting San Juan County in northwestern New Mexico and additional rainfall expected, local emergency management officials are urging residents to enable government emergency alerts on their mobile phones.

The San Juan County Office of Emergency Management warns that rapidly changing conditions could require evacuation notices or other urgent public safety announcements. Officials recommend temporarily reactivating emergency notifications even if users have previously disabled them.

Residents throughout New Mexico can take the same precaution by checking their phone settings.

For iPhone users:

1. Open Settings and select Notifications.
2. Scroll to Government Alerts.
3. Enable Emergency Alerts, Public Safety Alerts and AMBER Alerts, where available.

For Android users:

1. Open Settings and search for Wireless Emergency Alerts.
2. Enable Extreme Threats, Severe Threats, Public Safety Alerts and AMBER Alerts, where available.

Settings and available alert categories may vary by device and wireless carrier.

San Juan County officials also remind residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded roads and never attempt to drive through standing or moving water.

Residents can follow the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management for evacuation information and continuing updates. Officials encourage people to help family members, friends and neighbors who may need assistance enabling emergency notifications.

Stay informed

Residents can monitor current watches, warnings and forecasts through the National Weather Service El Paso office and the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.

Motorists should never attempt to drive through flooded roads, where water depth and roadway damage may not be visible.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Doña Ana County is scheduled to remain in effect until 9 p.m. MDT Friday, unless canceled or replaced by updated National Weather Service advisories.