Flood Watch: what it means
“A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.”
weather.gov →Flood Watches in effect right now
6 Flood Watches in effect, 18 Flood Warnings, 6 Flood Advisories.
States: New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Florida
- Flood Watch until Oct 25, 2026, 8:00 AM ETFar Northwest Highlands; Northwest Highlands; Tusas Mountains Including Chama; Jemez Mountains; Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass; Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains; Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains; East Slopes
- Flood Watch until Oct 25, 2026, 8:00 AM ETSouth Central Mountains
- Flood Watch until Oct 25, 2026, 8:00 AM ETWest Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet; Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet; East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet
- Flood Watch until Oct 25, 2026, 8:00 AM ETOtero Mesa; West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands; East Central Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo; Southeast Tularosa Basin; Western El Paso County; Eastern/Central El Paso County; Northern Hudspeth Highlands/Hueco Mountains;
- Flood Watch until Oct 25, 2026, 2:00 PM ETUncompahgre Plateau/Dallas Divide; Northwestern San Juan Mountains; Southwest San Juan Mountains; Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River; Four Corners/Upper Dolores River; Animas River Basin; San Juan River Basin; Southeast
- Flood Watch until Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 AM ETNorthwest Plateau
- Flood Warning until Oct 24, 2026, 3:15 PM ETConejos, CO
- Flood Warning until Oct 25, 2026, 2:00 PM ETSan Juan, NM
- Flood Warning until Oct 24, 2026, 2:00 PM ETSan Juan, NM
- Flood Warning until Oct 24, 2026, 5:00 PM ETArchuleta, CO
- Flood Warning until Oct 25, 2026, 2:00 PM ETSan Juan, NM
- Flood Warning until Oct 24, 2026, 2:15 PM ETMineral, CO; Rio Grande, CO
National Weather Service data, updated Oct 24, 2026, 5:16 AM ET. Not an official warning: follow your local NWS office. All US alerts →
What to do now
- A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding. A flood warning means flooding is imminent or occurring, so take action.
- Just 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, and 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars.
- Never drive around a barricade or through flood water. The National Weather Service says it is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
- Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. NFIP flood insurance usually starts 30 days after you buy it, so buy well before a storm.
From our flood preparedness guide, which links every source.
Watch, warning or advisory?
Each in the National Weather Service's own words.
Flood Watch
“A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.”
Flood Warning
“A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.”
Flood Advisory
“A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning.”
Get ready before the next one
Also: Boil water advisory
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