Storm cleanup continues in hard-hit San Antonio
Aid, donations and offers of accommodation and shelter help residents
SOCORRO — It’s been a week since a violent rainstorm sent torrents of water ripping through the community of San Antonio, N.M., and residents are still digging out, working to remove mud and debris from yards and homes.
But overall, conditions have improved and a precautionary boil water advisory issued by the New Mexico Environmental Department was rescinded Sunday.
Fred Hollis, the county’s Emergency Coordinator, reported that several residences were damaged, including 18 that had severe damage.
“One home was completely
uninhabitable. It was a total loss,” Hollis said. “We had a total of 32 that saw damage.”
Team Rubicon, a veterans’ service group, arrived to aid with cleanup and debris removal. The team does not provide contractor or repair services, but is available to remove damaged materials and prepare homes for repair work.
Socorro County Manager Delilah Walsh said the county is prohibited by the state Constitution from using taxpayer resources to improve private property — what’s referred to as the anti-donation clause.
“But we are coordinating efforts with volunteer groups to help with the cleanup, as they can be activated to assist private citizens,” Walsh said.
Socorro County also coordinated dumpsters for property cleanup. Residents affected by flood damage were allowed to bring waste to a specified collection center and dumpsters through Sunday at no charge.
The Red Cross also stepped in last week to go over assessments of private property damage in the community and to meet with victims, providing some with debit cards for needed food and supplies.
New Mexico Tech offered emergency housing at one of the university’s dormitories, and two families and one individual accepted the offer and are currently lodged at Torres Hall.
Sarracino Middle School opened its doors from 4-7 p.m. last Wednesday and Thursday to San Antonio residents who may have been in need of restrooms and showers
Michael Stanley, director of the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center at New Mexico Tech, said the university offered the use of a frontend loader to help with cleanup.
The City of Socorro also offered equipment and crews to help.
A section of railway tracks that was washed away has since been repaired, said Joe Sloan, spokesperson for the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad, on Monday. The track bed was washed out in several places north and south of the Highway 380 crossing.
“Our crews were on it early Monday,” Sloan said. He said the engineer of the first train to use the repaired sections would get out and walk the tracks to visually inspect the them before driving over.
Linda Wilson, pastor of Epiphany Episcopal Church, said details are being worked out for a relief fund to be set up through First State Bank.