On Friday night, authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for everyone living on New Mexico Highway 65 south of mile marker 4 to Hot Springs Avenue.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — San Miguel County Commissioner Harold Garcia sent KOB 4 a video showing rising waters in the Gallinas River, forcing several people to evacuate.
Some issues remain Saturday, with parts of Gallinas River Park and the bridge closed. Further rain is possible Saturday and Sunday.
Officials on Friday night ordered mandatory evacuations for everyone living south of the four-mile marker on New Mexico Highway 65 to Hot Springs Road, and also recommended that anyone living within 250 feet of the Gallinas River do the same.
KOB 4 crews arrived in town around midday and observed light rain, with the water level dropping but still gushing.
We spoke with Paul Segura, proprietor of Waldero’s Wich’s, which he owns with his wife and is just two doors down from the river.
“I got a little concerned, because I saw curious people going back and forth on the bridge. The water was pretty high and I was only a few feet away from getting over the bridge onto my property, so I got a little concerned. And then I had to evacuate the restaurant before it was completely closed, so it was tough closing down,” Segura said.
Segura’s restaurant and home are safe, though he said if the water had risen any higher, the basement of his business could have impacted the structural integrity of the building.
Segura said it was difficult for her to get home because firefighters had closed roads, adding that while parts of her home on 8th Street were flooded, her house wasn’t, so she understood why firefighters were there.
Both city and county officials said a major challenge Friday night was getting people to follow the orders.
I’ve heard some people are moving caution tape and road closure signs.
When it comes to rain and flooding, remember that looks can be deceiving and “turn around lest you drown” – just 30 centimetres of water can wash away your car.
