Sudden flash flooding rolled into parts of Hudspeth County on Sunday afternoon, pushing water across low-lying roads and triggering urgent warnings for drivers along Interstate 10. The flash flood warning was set to expire at 4:45 p.m. MDT on June 14, and local officials pressed residents to move to higher ground and stay out of any standing or moving flood waters.
According to the National Weather Service in El Paso, the bulletin went out at 2:42 p.m. MDT after radar showed heavy rain pounding central Hudspeth County. Forecasters highlighted Fort Quitman and Esperanza as spots at particular risk and cautioned that highways and underpasses in the area could turn impassable in a hurry.
Where the warning applied
TxDOT El Paso expanded on the alert, flagging Fort Hancock, Finlay, and McNary and warning that stretches of I-10 could see water over the roadway. The district also noted that there were no schools or hospitals inside the immediate warning zone and estimated roughly 20 people potentially affected, according to TxDOT El Paso.
Roads and travel
Public-safety officials repeated the familiar line that "Turn around, don't drown" is not just a slogan. Even seemingly shallow water can sweep vehicles off the pavement, they warned. Drivers were urged to avoid walking or driving through flood waters and to respect all roadblocks, closures, and detours, per the National Weather Service.
How to stay informed
Authorities advised travelers to follow local emergency channels and official agency feeds for updates before heading onto I-10 in far west Texas and to give road crews time to inspect and clear trouble spots after storms move out. Anyone who comes across flooded roads is urged to turn around and report the hazardous conditions to local law enforcement or TxDOT so responders can redirect traffic and keep people out of danger.
