El Paso Flash Flooding: What Truckers Should Do This Week

What happened

El Paso flash flooding hit parts of far West Texas early Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. The National Weather Service (NWS) in El Paso put out several Flash Flood Warnings overnight.

The biggest one started at 1:52 a.m. Mountain time. It covered northeastern El Paso County and northwestern Hudspeth County. Radar showed 2 to 3 inches of rain had already fallen there. The NWS called it life-threatening flash flooding. Places named in the warning include Loma Linda, Desert Haven, Hueco Tanks, Hueco Mountain Estates and Butterfield.

More warnings followed:

• East-central El Paso County and west-central Hudspeth County, with 2 to 3 inches of rain.
• Southeastern El Paso County near Tornillo, with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain.

The NWS said highways, streets and underpasses could flood. A Flood Watch covered El Paso and Hudspeth counties until 6 a.m. Mountain time Friday. Flood warnings were also active in parts of southern New Mexico and in Brewster County, Texas.

What comes next? The NWS forecast says a few scattered storms may pop up Friday afternoon and evening, mostly near and east of the Rio Grande. A few could get close to severe. The weekend looks quiet. Then deep tropical moisture comes back Monday and Tuesday, with heavy rain possible again, maybe boosted by what is left of Polo.

What it means for owner-operators

Far West Texas is desert. When 2 or 3 inches of rain fall in a few hours, the ground cannot soak it up. Water runs across roads, fills dips and underpasses, and can hide washed-out pavement.

A loaded truck feels heavy, but moving water is stronger than it looks. The NWS says most flood deaths happen in vehicles. Water can also get into brakes, wheel bearings, electrical parts and the engine. A stalled truck in a flooded road can mean a tow, a repair bill and days without earning.

This matters for anyone running I-10 and the roads around El Paso, from local drivers to long-haul trucks crossing between Texas and New Mexico.

What to do next

• Turn around, don't drown. Never drive into a flooded road or underpass, even if a car just made it.
• Check the NWS El Paso page and DriveTexas.org before you leave, and again at your stops.
• Be extra careful at night, when it is harder to see how deep the water is.
• If you drove through water, test your brakes gently once you are clear.
• Take photos of any damage right away, and call your agent before you pay for repairs.
• Know what your policy covers before the next storm. Flood damage to the truck is usually a physical damage question, and every policy is different. Read our physical damage coverage guide.

Want to review your truck coverage before heavy rain returns next week? Call TCZ Insurance Agency at 956-526-6727.