Shelters open in frigid communities

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Gas and electric outages, frozen and burst pipes and the general crisis brought on by the arctic cold front that spread across New Mexico have communities opening shelters for those in need of a warm place to stay.

ALAMOGORDO AND TULAROSA

The City of Alamogordo has opened an emergency shelter at the Willie Estrada Civic Center, 1st and Florida Ave. City residents needing assistance reaching a shelter can call the Alamogordo DPS at 439-4300.  County residents can call the Otero County Sheriff's Office at 437-2210.  The village of Tularosa has established a temporary shelter in the Municipal Courtroom, 609A St. Francis Dr. Residents needing assistance relocating to this center can contact the Tularosa Police Department at 585-2704.

ALBUQUERQUE

Mayor Berry during an afternoon press conference Thursday afternoon says the following four community centers will be open for anyone who needs warm shelter tonight and into tomorrow morning.

Los Padillas Community Center (South Valley)
2117 Los Padillas Road Southwest, Albuquerque, NM 87105-7162

Paradise Hills community Center (Westside)
5901 Paradise Boulevard Northwest, Albuquerque, NM

Raymond Sanchez Community Center (North Valley)
9800 4th Street Northwest, Albuquerque, NM

Vista Grande Community Center (East Mountains)
15 La Madera Road, Sandia Park, NM

Shelters also have been opened at two Albuquerque Public Schools high schools:

• Highland High School, 4700 Coal SE
• Manzano High School, 12200 Lomas NE

The mayor asks that you please bring a toothbrush and toothpaste, blankets and a sleeping bag if you have one. Bring your cell phone and cell phone charger and other items that will help you remain warm.

If your gas service is interrupted and once it gets back and you smell gas please exit the house leave the doors and windows open and call 911.In order to save your pipes if you loose heat turn hot and cold faucets to a drip to prevent frozen pipes .

ISLETA PUEBLO

Isleta new rec center, 60 Tribal Road 40, 869-3030

TOWN OF BERNALILLO

The Town of Bernalillo is cooperating with Sandoval County to provide an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate public safety efforts and temporary emergency shelter. Immediate shelter is available at the Rotary Park Community Center, 370 Rotary Park Road. Additionally, the National Guard and the American Red Cross have set up an overnight shelter at the Guard Armory located at 4001 Northwest Loop NE, North of Rio Rancho off of US HWY 550 and Northwest Loop.

TAOS

Taos shelter update: The Red Cross official shelter will be in new Emergency Response Center, 1146 Gusdorf Rd., at the intersection of Gusdorf and Camino de Santiago (behind Masonic Temple). It sleeps approximately 50. Go here first.

The backup shelter is Taos County Agricultural Center, Chamisa Rd (pets needing shelter will also be housed at this location; this shelter is near the Sagebrush Inn).

Phone numbers for the public for shelter information, and if you need transportation to a shelter, is (575 ) 751-8123 or 8125. If possible, please also bring your own sleeping bag/blankets, pillows, jackets, etc.

Overflow for the above official Red Cross shelter will be at two elementary schools:

• Ranchos Elementary, 200 Sanders Lane, Ranchos de Taos, staffed by Taos County.
• Enos Gracia Elementary's gym, 305 Don Fernando St., staffed by town of Taos.

Restaurant wishing to donate: Bring any cooked food to the Red Cross for distribution, at the primary shelter.

Other shelters:

• Questa -- Alta Vista Elementary
• Costilla -- Costilla Elementary
• Penasco -- Community Center

Kit Carson Electric is not shutting off power but is asking customers to conserve energy.

The gas outage in Taos is expected to last 48 hours, the time needed to turn off gas meters, restore pressure to the lines and then turn meters back on. Gas meters are being turned off in Questa and Red River.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross in New Mexico is assisting those displaced by the recent statewide gas shortage and cold weather. Here are recent updates from around New Mexico:

Alamogordo, NM (Otero County): ARC is supporting a city run shelter in Alamogordo with cots, blankets and feeding.

Socorro, NM (Socorro County): College dorm has been evacuated – requested 100 cots. City is opening a warming shelter for residents – requested 100 cots.  Cots are being provided by ARC**

Espanola, NM (Rio Arriba):  Shelter Location: Beatrice Martinez Senior Center:  Anticipated Population: 150 or more.  ARC Supported Shelter – Human and Material Resources provided

Rio Rancho, NM (Sandoval County) ;  National Guard Armory 2PM.  ARC Supported Human Resources only at this point (zero pop)

Taos, NM (Taos County):  ARC is staffing the Taos County EOC. EM has requested 3 ARC operated shelters throughout the county. We are currently locating human resources to staff these shelters. Special needs populations anticipated in the shelter.

Tularosa, NM (Otero County) – status unchanged

ARC