Urgent warning to seek higher ground NOW as New Mexico dam is feared to break during major storm

Published: 16:59 EDT, 29 September 2026 | Updated: 17:42 EDT, 29 September 2026 The National Weather Service has issued an urgent flash flood warning after heavy rains in the Southwest have brought a dam to the brink of failure.NWS said that the McLeod Dam in New Mexico was in immediate danger of failing due to the intense storm being fueled by Hurricane Polo, which made landfall in Mexico on Monday.The alert is currently in effect until at least 6.45pm ET, and the dam's operator has warned that life-threatening flash floods could erupt in the area if the dam fails.NWS officials wrote in a statement: 'This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek high ground now!'Residents in the rural areas between the towns of Garfield and Salem, and anyone traveling along nearby portions of Highways 187 and 390 are said to be in danger if the structure fails.'If you are in low lying areas below the McLeod Dam you should move to higher ground immediately,' NWS added.According to KOAT 7, an evacuation center has been set up at the Radium Springs Community Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico - approximately 60 miles from the potential danger zone.AccuWeather meteorologists have warned that extreme rainfall and flash flooding is expected to continue into Wednesday night throughout most of New Mexico as the remnants of Hurricane Polo's core cross the US border. Radar images show the severity of the rain moving over New Mexico as a flash flood warning is issued on September 29 National Weather Service officials have warned that the McLeod Dam near the New Mexico towns of Garfield and Salem could fail due to heavy rainfall on September 29AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said in a statement: 'In some places, especially in New Mexico, this may be the most dangerous flash flooding risk in the last five years or more.'Roads in the Phoenix, Arizona area were also closed due to flooding on Tuesday as storm chasers captured footage of heavy showers and local rivers preparing to overflow throughout the day.NWS has issued widespread flash flood warnings throughout the southern Arizona and New Mexico areas, all lasting until at least 6pm ET on Tuesday.Flood watches were also issued in ten states Tuesday morning as meteorologists warned that the widespread effects of Hurricane Polo were merging with leftover moisture from Hurricane Odalys and a dip in the natural jet stream running across the US to create a sweeping rainstorm across the country.This 'triple flood threat' is expected to bring the heaviest rainfall to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas on Tuesday, but the storm threat will continue into Friday.The flood watches extend into Utah, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa, and AccuWeather has predicted that more than two inches of rain could reach Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin by Friday.However, the weather service's worst-case scenario noted up to 18 inches of rain could fall in isolated areas. NWS specifically warned drivers in the region to stay off flooded roadways, saying: 'Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.' Meteorologists have warned that Hurricane Polo is merging with the remnants of Hurricane Odalys and a dip in the country's jet stream to form a major rainstorm Flash flooding throughout the US Southwest on September 29 closed roads in the Phoenix metro area (File Image)