A rare tornado struck Santa Fe, New Mexico, Saturday night on October 24, damaging homes, tearing off roofs, and knocking down trees across midtown neighborhoods. City officials reported no injuries by late Saturday evening following the severe Pacific storm system.
Just after 7 p.m. MDT on Saturday, the Albuquerque office of the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for northeastern Santa Fe County. Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm moving north at 25 mph over the city. Moments later, city spokesperson Peter Olson confirmed a tornado touchdown in the neighborhood of Rancho Siringo.
At 7:01 pm MDT, the National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued the tornado warning for northeastern Santa Fe County as a powerful Pacific storm moved east across the state. The notice stated that a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Santa Fe and moving north at 25 mph. Emergency services responded to the area of Rancho Siringo and Camino Chueco, where residents reported knocked-down trees, structural damage, torn-off roofs, and debris strewn about.
Tornado Damages Midtown Santa Fe Homes
The destructive storm carved a path just south of the historic downtown area, leaving structural damage near Camino Carlos Rey, Camino Chueco, and Siringo Road. Residents reported shattered roofs, fallen trees, and debris scattered across residential lawns. The tornado touched down just south of a major commercial district, which includes the Midtown Santa Fe redevelopment area featuring a new restaurant, movie theater, and apartments. Following the passage of the storm around 7 p.m., KOB 4 received photographs depicting destruction near Camino Chueco, Siringo Road, and Camino Carlos Rey.
I see a lot of trees down. I see a lot of damage from houses. I saw the roof in the guy’s front yard that bounced off his roof.
Peter Olsen, city spokesperson, via Albuquerque Journal
Journalist Zach Rael reported receiving damage reports after the tornado-warned storm moved through Santa Fe around 7 p.m. Saturday, noting extensive damage to a home and the surrounding neighborhood near Camino Carlos Rey and Siringo Road. Writing on X, weather photographer and storm chaser Nick Krasznavolgyi reported that a tornado struck Santa Fe at approximately 7 PM MDT that evening, noting that a supercell carrying a distinct velocity couplet traversed the region while a webcam simultaneously captured a prominent funnel cloud hovering above the city alongside documented property damage. Local residents also observed the severe weather firsthand.
The sky was like really black, and you could see like the lightning just brightening up the whole sky.
Serena Yanez, via Albuquerque Journal
Storms Disruption Along Interstate 25
Olson noted that motorists became stranded in traffic jams along Interstate 25 as the storm peaked. As rain and storms persisted into Saturday night, city authorities drew attention to flooded streets, drainage channels, arroyos, streambeds, and locations experiencing flowing water.
City officials urged residents to stay indoors and avoid affected areas so that emergency and rescue personnel could respond. Up to 10 p.m., authorities reported zero injuries stemming from this uncommon meteorological event.
Santa Fe County Records Few Tornadoes
While tornadoes are more common elsewhere in New Mexico, particularly on the eastern plains, Santa Fe County has seen markedly fewer.
Within municipal limits, the event stunned local authorities.
| Metric | Recorded Data |
|---|---|
| Tornadoes in Santa Fe County Since 1950 | 27 |
| Warning Issuance Time | 7:01 p.m. MDT, Saturday |