A flash flood emergency was issued in New Mexico over “imminent failure” of the McLeod Dam.
People along Garfield and Salem in southern New Mexico were advised to immediately seek higher ground.
The emergency advisory is in effect until 4:45 pm local time.
Hurricane Polo slammed into New Mexico after it was downgraded to a tropical depression.
Heavy rains and winds gusts up to 60 mph battered New Mexico on Tuesday.
KOB reported:
A flash flood emergency has been issued over the “imminent failure” of the McLeod Dam in southern New Mexico, operators and county officials say.
The dam is in northwestern Doña Ana County. The emergency is in place for a dam break on the McLeod Arroyo below the dam. It’s in effect until 4:45 p.m., after operators and officials reported the imminent failure of the dam at 1:47 p.m.
The National Weather Service advised “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!” It affects areas between Garfield and Salem, including portions of Highways 187 and 390 – and along Garfield Drain, Garfield Canal and other drainage and irrigation ditches.
If you’re in low-lying areas below the McLeod Dam you should move to higher ground immediately.
More on this flash flood emergency from Fox Weather:
FLOOD EMERGENCY 🚨: A catastrophic Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for Doña Ana County after operators reported the imminent failure of McLeod Dam in south-central New Mexico on Tuesday. The emergency came as tropical moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Polo fueled a… pic.twitter.com/3VZCzWRitK
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) September 29, 2026
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