Cloudcroft, N.M. – A flood watch remains in effect through Tuesday evening across the Sacramento Mountains and southern Gila Highlands, where slow-moving thunderstorms could unleash dangerous runoff and flash flooding in canyons, burn scars, and arroyos.
According to the National Weather Service in El Paso, heavy downpours are expected from noon to 10 p.m. MDT as a surge of monsoonal moisture interacts with an upper-level disturbance. Areas under the watch include Cloudcroft, Mescalero, Lake Roberts, and Apache Summit.
Localized rainfall rates could quickly overwhelm dry creek beds and low-lying roads, especially in high terrain. Burn scar regions remain particularly vulnerable to rapid flooding. Emergency officials urge residents in flood-prone zones to have evacuation plans and to avoid arroyo crossings.
Drivers on Highway 82 and backroads through the Sacramento and Black Range should anticipate possible road washouts and low visibility during storms. Hikers and campers are advised to seek shelter and stay out of drainages.
The threat is expected to taper off late Tuesday night, but additional watches or warnings may follow if the pattern persists.
