Albuquerque crews on standby as city prepares for potential flooding

By: Sam Taylor Date: September 22, 2026

Gabe Chavez, a spokesperson for Albuquerque’s Department of Municipal Development, said city crews are on standby ahead of expected heavy rain. The city activated equipment and personnel Tuesday afternoon to respond to possible flooding across Albuquerque, Chavez said.

Heavy equipment is ready to clear debris, open drainage channels and pump standing water, according to Chavez. Once rain begins, the city plans to mobilize five vacuum sweepers, three vacuum trucks, 10 hydraulic pumps and skid steers.

“We do have our pump stations that are operational throughout the city. I mean, we do have one that’s close to downtown that it will be turned on and be used,” Chavez said. The downtown station is operated by local water authorities, he added.

City departments are coordinating the response, Chavez said. Crews were placed on standby around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. They will remain on standby until Friday morning.

Forecasters expect rain to intensify around 6 p.m. Tuesday, with the heaviest rainfall on Wednesday. Bernalillo County officials issued a safety advisory for localized flooding.

Sandbag pickup sites

Sandbags are available at fire stations across Albuquerque and surrounding areas. The North Region sites include Station 30 at 6697 4th Street NW in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Station 31 at 9819 2nd Street NW, Station 35 at 11700 Paseo del Norte NE, Station 36 at 501 Bear Canyon Lane NE. South Region locations are Station 32 at 1701 Arenal Road SW, Station 33 at 3909 Barcelona Road SW, Station 34 at 2801 Don Felipe Road SW, and Station 38 at 3610 Prince Street SE. The East Region sites are Station 40 at 48 Public School Road in Tijeras, Station 41 at 10838 NM Highway 337 in Tijeras, Station 43 at 4 Dressage Road in Tijeras, and Station 46 at 25 Frost Road in Sandia Park.

“This is going to be kind of an all-hands-on-deck. We’re not sure what the rains are going to look like just yet…but making sure that our roads are safe for everyone and making sure that everyone gets home safely,” Chavez said.

The Department of Municipal Development handles city infrastructure, including roads, drainage and flood control systems. The department works with other city agencies and outside contractors to manage storm water during severe weather.