An urgent flood watch is in effect through Friday evening for parts of western El Paso, Texas, and southern New Mexico amid warnings that Cement Lake Dam could fail, triggering dangerous and fast-moving flooding downstream that could include razor wire in the debris, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
The potential break of the earthen dam—also known as the Portland Cement Reservoir—would threaten areas below the structure in West El Paso and the Mesilla Valley, including Downtown El Paso, Upper Valley, Sunland Park, Las Cruces and nearby communities in southern Doña Ana County, which encompasses more than 200,000 people.
Forecasters warned that floodwaters could inundate major roadways, including Loop 375, Paisano Drive and Doniphan Drive, posing serious risks to drivers and nearby residents.
Officials also flagged a critical added danger: razor wire in the flood plain near the dam’s outlet. If the dam fails, the wire could become tangled in debris or submerged, worsening flood conditions and creating additional hazards for the public and emergency crews.
Newsweek reached out to El Paso Water by email for comment.
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