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Friday, Dec 13th

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State agencies assist in winter storm response

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SANTA FE — Since Nov. 6, multiple state agencies have supported local emergency managers and public safety teams as New Mexico faced severe winter weather.

  • New Mexico State Police officers and the New Mexico Department of Transportation have responded to numerous calls and have assisted hundreds of stranded motorists.
  • The Department of Transportation has deployed approximately 200 snowplows, loaders, and graders to clear roads statewide. Crews have been working around the clock in 12-hour shifts, continuing through the weekend.
  • The New Mexico National Guard is helping clear roads in Las Vegas, N.M. and the State Emergency Operations Center has activated to coordinate resources and oversee the multi-agency response.
  • The Health Care Authority in collaboration with the Red Cross, is standing up warming shelters as needed.
  • The NM Department of Agriculture is reaching out to producers affected by the storm to assess whether they need feed and other supplies.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued two statewide emergency declarations over the week that unlocked $1.5 million in state funding to support state agencies responding to the winter storm blanketing much of New Mexico.

“New Mexico’s first responders worked around the clock — in harsh winter conditions — to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities,” Lujan Grisham said. “To every state and emergency employee: your hard work during these difficult times does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe.”

Executive Orders 2024-158 and 2024-159 direct the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration to allocate $750,000 to the New Mexico National Guard and $750,000 to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for emergency response efforts.

Residents can call the Department of Homeland Security’s disaster response and recovery call center at 1-833-663-4736. The hotline will be available 24/7 until further notice to answer questions about storm impacts and help residents connect to resources.

With road conditions still dangerous in some places, residents are reminded to stay off the roads as much as possible and take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Safety information for winter weather and warming center locations can be found at dhsem.nm.gov/severeweather. Road conditions and closures are available at nmroads.com. In the event of an emergency, including being stranded on the side of the road, call 911.

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