Southern Lincoln County & Ruidoso, New Mexico · Warnings current as of · Checked against the National Weather Service every 15 minutes.

Current alerts

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued September 17 at 4:32PM MDT until September 17 at 10:30PM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

In effect until: 10:30 p.m. MDT · Issued by National Weather Service Albuquerque NM

Rainfall (NWS): Between 3 and 5 inches of rain have fallen.

What the NWS says to do: Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued September 17 at 12:18PM MDT until September 18 at 3:00AM MDT by NWS Albuquerque NM

In effect until: 3:00 a.m. MDT · Issued by National Weather Service Albuquerque NM

What the NWS says to do: You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

What to do right now

Sandbags

Self-fill sites. Sand, bags, and filling equipment provided; residents fill and transport their own (30-bag household limit).

Source: Village of Ruidoso emergency page, last verified September 17, 2026. Hours and availability change with conditions — check before you go.

Official resources

Questions people are asking

Is there a flood warning for Ruidoso right now?

Check the warning banner at the top of this page — it reflects the latest National Weather Service alerts for Lincoln County and updates automatically. A Flood Watch means flooding is possible; a Flash Flood Warning means flooding is happening or about to begin — act immediately.

What should I do during a flash flood warning?

Get to higher ground now. Never drive through flooded roads — the NWS rule is Turn Around, Don’t Drown: just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, 12 inches can carry a car. Stay away from river banks and culverts; they can become unstable without warning.

Where do I get sandbags near Ruidoso?

The Village runs self-fill sandbag sites (see Sandbags section above). Bring help if you can — you fill and haul your own, up to 30 per household. Check the Village emergency page before you go; hours change with conditions.

My home took on water. What do I do first?

1) Make sure it’s safe to enter — watch for structural damage and never touch wet electrical. 2) Photograph everything before you clean up; insurers and assistance programs need documentation. 3) Remove standing water and wet materials fast; disinfect what got wet. 4) Call your insurer before hiring anyone, and use licensed local restorers.

How do I sign up for emergency alerts in Lincoln County?

Register free at CallMeRuidoso.com — official alerts from the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County. It takes a few minutes and can buy you critical time when conditions change fast.

Which roads are closed around Ruidoso right now?

We don't keep a live road-closure list here — conditions change by the hour during a flood event. Before you drive, check the Village of Ruidoso emergency page (it links the RAIN road-conditions map) and make sure you're signed up for free CallMeRuidoso.com alerts. The rule never changes: never drive through flooded roads — Turn Around, Don't Drown.

Where can I get help with flood cleanup and damage?

Start with the Village's flood recovery resources page (linked under Official resources above) — it covers debris pickup and assistance programs. Photograph all damage before you clean up, call your insurer before hiring anyone, and use licensed local restorers.

Are there evacuations or emergency shelters open in Lincoln County?

Evacuation notices come from Lincoln County and the Village of Ruidoso. The fastest way to get them is CallMeRuidoso.com — free official alerts. Shelter locations are announced on the Village emergency page. We only list shelters from official sources, never from social media posts.