Flash Flood Warning for Arizona, New Mexico, Texas Amid Monsoon Activity

Torrential rainfall, which could trigger flash flooding, is forecast Saturday for New Mexico and southern Arizona.

According to the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) this weather front will shift into northern Texas on Sunday and Monday, bringing risks of further disruption.

This year has already seen the most active Southwest monsoon season on record, with 840 flood warnings issued since June 15, way above the average of 231.

The WPC states: "The stage is set for southern Arizona and New Mexico to potentially receive prolific rainfall and widespread flash flooding today.

"WPC has a moderate risk for excessive rainfall covering southeast Arizona and southwest/central New Mexico, slight risk spanning from western Arizona to the Texas panhandle and marginally encompassing those areas and into the Four Corners/Rockies region.

"Areal average rainfall totals of 2-3 inches, with locally higher amounts approaching 5-7 inches, may lead to numerous instances of flash flooding. Urban locations in addition to areas of complex terrain, slot canyons, arroyos, and burn scars are especially vulnerable for flash flooding and can quickly turn into very dangerous situations."

Some flooding has already been reported in Texas, with El Paso TV station KTSM 9 News saying parts of Gateway and Airway were closed due to standing water on the roads.

KTSM 9 News reporter Monica Cortez shared a video on Facebook of several vehicles trying to make their way through the water, adding: "Gateway and Airway closed due to flooding. Avoid the area."

This follows flooding in Roosevelt, Arizona, on Thursday and Friday which saw rising water levels enter homes and storehouses.

Extreme meteorologist Reed Timmer posted a video from southern Arizona, filmed at Cienega Wash, showing floodwaters moving rapidly across an area of flat terrain, carrying some wooden debris with them.

FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin reminded local residents to listen out for flood warnings.

She said: "If you hear a Flash Flood Warning, you want to get off the roads immediately. It happens extremely quickly.

"Within 15 minutes, you can find yourself with about 6 inches to 12 inches of rushing water around you. So if you live in these areas, you want to make sure that your notifications are turned on, and you're listening to those warnings later today."

At the beginning of August, Death Valley, in eastern California, was hit by "devastating flooding" which the National Park Service described as "an extremely rare, 1000-year event".

The impact on the area was so great it could be seen from space, with NASA images showing the National Park before and after it received nearly a year's worth of rain in one day.

In July flooding in the Appalachia region in Kentucky left 39 dead and at least 33,000 people without electricity.