Storm slams county

CIBOLA COUNTY - An early Christmas storm on Dec. 22-23 snarled traffic and caused power outages throughout Cibola County but no serious injuries or deaths were reported.

Numerous power disruptions occurred throughout the area because of heavy, wet snow. Mac Juarez, of Continental Divide Electric Co-op, said crews were working “on and off all day” to restore power. A line had to be restrung across Santa Fe Avenue west of Exit 82 on I-40. Intermittent minimal outages were reported in Grants, Milan, San Rafael and the Zuni Canyon area, he said. An area in Lobo Canyon and another near Tinaja, about 30 miles west of Grants, were reportedly without power for most of the day, he added.

Two inches of snow were reported at Grants Municipal Airport, the official precipitation listed at .62 inch. According to Wes Hobbs, airport manager, last week's snowfall of five and one-half inches brought one-half inch of water.

No traffic fatalities were reported by Capt. Darren Soland of the New Mexico State Police. No roads were closed in Cibola County, but hazardous driving conditions were reported across the region. The El Malpais National Monument Information Center near the Ice Caves on Highway 53 west of Grants was closed on Dec. 23 because of severe weather.

Capt. Soland said both the state police and the Department of Transportation had full shifts working in District 6, which comprises Cibola and McKinley Counties.

Late on Dec. 23 about one-half dozen vehicles had slid off I-40 in the county, state police reported.

Trucks were seen throughout the region plowing snow and spreading cinders to aid in traction for motorists.

Juarez said he and his crews “appreciate our customers' patience” while working to restore power. Outages can be called in to the co-op's hotline at 1-877-775-5211.