The Rio Arriba County Commission issued a disaster declaration on Dec. 27 after heavy snows hit Chama and much of the rest of the northern County in the previous days.
After a situation report by County Interim Emergency Manager Mateo DeVargas, County commissioners voted to approve the resolution.
County Manager Lorenzo Valdez described the resolution as a precautionary step.
“If it snows more this would offer the County protection and help from FEMA,” Valdez said. “For now, we will alert the governor’s office.”
“It would make federal money available to clear roads,” agreed DeVargas. “The state Department of Homeland Security is monitoring road closures in the County, and as of (Dec. 26), all roads were open except part of Highway 64.”
County commissioners expressed concern for elderly residents and ranchers living in remote areas.
“I have an elderly, 90 year old constituent in Vallecitos with no family, facing three feet of snow,” Commissioner Felipe Martinez said. “Area ranchers are under more duress or stress than most others. They’re unable to get hay to their animals.”
Martinez said the emergency resolution would help “formalize and secure resources and funding from the state and maybe the federal government.”
Before voting on the resolution, Commissioner Elias Coriz asked DeVargas whether he had planned a mobile command post and whether the County could respond “in a moment’s notice” should the county suffer more heavy snows.
Last year, Coriz noted, the County worked with the village of Chama to respond to a snow emergency.
“There was some chaos, with contractors being put out there without coordination. It was hard to keep the logistics working,” Coriz explained. “We want to coordinate with Chama to avoid chaos and any jurisdictional issues.”
Valdez emphasized that the County cannot address private property issues unless lives are in jeopardy.
“There’s no way we can clean thousands of driveways. It would be easy to get bogged down,” Valdez said.
Village of Chama Mayor Archie Vigil said he would meet with County officials Wednesday (12/31) to discuss whether or not to declare an emergency for Chama.
Residents in Tierra Amarilla and Chama supported the Commission’s decision.
“I had my crew on 12 hour shifts since (Dec. 27),” state Highway Department Supervisor Joe Avalos, of Tierra Amarilla, said. “Five guys plus me is six men, three per 12-hour shift. My personal opinion is that the County is going to need a little help if there’s another storm.”
Avalos reported winds of 40 to 50 mph during Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, and overnight temperatures as low as 12 degrees below zero.
As of Tuesday, Avalos reported that the roads were clear of snow and ice.
“It looks really good now,” Avalos said.