Current:Home > ScamsTen of thousands left without power as winter storm rolls over New Mexico-LoTradeCoin
Ten of thousands left without power as winter storm rolls over New Mexico
View Date:2024-12-23 19:25:03
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Tens of thousands of people in New Mexico were without power Thursday as the first major winter storm of the season rolled across the northern two-thirds of the state, bringing with it snow and fierce winds that forced schools and government offices to close.
Dozens of crews with Public Service Co. of New Mexico were mobilized to address widespread outages that had been reported overnight and in the early morning hours from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and beyond. The utility urged residents to be patient.
“We know any time without power is frustrating,” the company said in messages to customers.
Some school districts that initially considered holding virtual lessons ended up canceling class because of power outages. Other schools in Santa Fe and Los Alamos opted for a snow day, citing the significant amount that had fallen overnight and what was expected over the next day.
Plows were busy trying to keep major highways clear, but state police announced midday that Interstate 25 just south of the Colorado border was closed in both directions.
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a blizzard warning for parts of the state and reported that more than 100 vehicles were stranded on highways in the state’s northeast corner. Forecasters warned of “very dangerous driving conditions” that were made worse by low visibility because of blowing snow.
Tonja Goode Ross said she would be staying home and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate instead of trying to brave what was the “first real snow” of the season for Corona. This rural part of central New Mexico was turned into a winter wonderland, its pastures covered by a thick blanket of snow and its tree branches bowing from the weight of fresh powder.
Almost a foot (30.48 centimeters) of snow had fallen by early morning and another 2.5 inches (6.35 centimeters) fell within a 2-hour period.
“Moisture is always a blessing here — no matter the form it comes in,” she said.
The weather service in Albuquerque warned that the storm could bring historic amounts of snow through Friday. More than 3 feet (91.44 centimeters) were expected for Las Vegas and other parts of northern New Mexico. Snow drifts could top 6 feet (1.83 meter), making some travel impossible — potentially for days, forecasters said.
veryGood! (9396)
Related
- Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
- The Supreme Court ruled that Trump has immunity for official acts. Here's what happens next.
- The Daily Money: CDK outage draws to a close
- US job openings rise to 8.1 million despite higher interest rates
- Travis Kelce's and Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Houses Burglarized
- Hunter Biden sues Fox News for publishing nude photos, videos of him in 'mock trial' show
- Biden to give extended interview to ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Friday
- COVID trend reaches high level across western U.S. in latest CDC data
- Tennis Channel suspends reporter after comments on Barbora Krejcikova's appearance
- Some Nebraskans say misleading words led them to sign petitions on abortion they don’t support
Ranking
- Congress heard more testimony about UFOs: Here are the biggest revelations
- Long time coming. Oklahoma's move to the SEC was 10 years in the making
- Emma Chamberlin, Katy Perry and the 'no shirt' fashion trend and why young people love it
- Mark Consuelos debuts shaved head on 'Live' with Kelly Ripa: See his new look
- Early Black Friday Deals: 70% Off Apple, Dyson, Tarte, Barefoot Dreams, Le Creuset & More + Free Shipping
- Vanna White pays tribute to look-alike daughter Gigi Santo Pietro with birthday throwback
- Woman found dead in Lake Anna, the third body found at the Virginia lake since May
- Chipotle portion sizes can vary widely from one restaurant to another, analysis finds
Recommendation
-
Louisiana House greenlights Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax cuts
-
Environmental groups decry attempt to delay shipping rules intended to save whales
-
NBA free agency tracker: Klay Thompson to Mavericks; Tatum getting record extension
-
Hallmark's Shantel VanSanten and Victor Webster May Have the Oddest Divorce Settlement Yet
-
Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
-
'Don’t do that to your pets': Video shows police rescue dog left inside hot trailer
-
Ian McKellen won't return to 'Player Kings' after onstage fall
-
Badminton Star Zhang Zhijie Dead At 17 After Collapsing On Court During Match