Winter Storm in New Mexico, January 11 to 14, 1997

The second winter storm in less than a week dumped another 20 to 45 inches of fresh snow across northern New Mexico in a period of 48 to 72 hours. Storm totals included 29 inches at Chama, 30 inches at Brazos Lodge, and nearly 4 feet of new snow at the ski resorts in Taos county. One man died of exposure near Embudo on the 12th after running off the road in his vehicle and trying to walk for help. His snow covered body was found two days later within several hundred yards of the automobile. Snow came too often and heavy to avoid more widespread shutdown of rural roads and the interstate highways crossing New Mexico. Interstate 40 east and west of Albuquerque was closed one period for 17 consecutive hours. Strong winds of 35 to 45 mph accompanied this storm producing blizzard-like white out across the open Highlands east of Albuquerque. Some roads across southern Santa Fe and northern Torrance counties had not yet fully reopened from the previous storm and highway crews were caught in a futile effort to keep state highways and county roads open. Some roads north of Edgewood were blocked by 20 foot snow drifts and rural residents were locked into homes by road closures through the 18th. No significant injuries or fatalities were reported during the storm. County and state highway snow removal funds and resources were near depletion after this lastest storm as overtime and other costs escalated.