CUBERO, NEW MEXICO — Severe flash flooding shut down Interstate 40 in both directions near Cubero at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 24, leaving semi-trucks stuck in deep water, backing up traffic across western New Mexico, and leaving drivers with no official detour and no timeline for reopening.
The closure runs between mile markers 102 and 108, spanning the area near Exit 104 between Grants and Albuquerque, including the Cubero, Budville, and Laguna areas. The New Mexico Department of Transportation and NMROADS confirmed there is no detour available. Drivers were told to expect severe delays in both directions.
Viewer images sent to KOB 4 showed flooded lanes near Cubero and semi-trucks stuck on the road with water rising above their wheels. Heavy, continuous rainfall overwhelmed local infrastructure and caused significant backups. Preliminary reports from transportation officials indicate the closure may be prolonged because of potential bridge damage from the floodwaters.
Traffic maps showed the old Route 66 alignment, which normally serves as a parallel alternative, was also flooded and closed.
The flooding is part of a larger storm system causing widespread disruption and life-threatening flash floods across the Four Corners region. Nearby areas, including a casino in Encinal, faced evacuations.
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