Families are still cleaning up a week after a huge storm blew through southeastern New Mexico, bringing along high winds and destroying two homes.
Volunteers like William Guin came out Monday to Amber Lane in Hagerman to finish cleaning up the aftermath.
“It’s very devastating. Especially knowing that the families have small kids,” said Guin.
The worst of it — two flattened mobile homes.
“We’re cleaning up all the shingles and cleaning up all the trash we can and putting it in the trashcan, and then anything that we’re able to burn, such as wood, anything that’s wood-related is what we’re burning,” said Guin.
Both houses were vacant, being fixed up to live in. The Uriartes family was just days away from moving in.
“They need this. They couldn’t do it on their own,” said Hagerman Police Chief Rachelle Bateman.
Bateman organized the cleanups. The first one was done last Friday.
“Even like their appliances, everything is gone,” said Bateman. “Their house and their appliances, their clothes, everything was ruined. What wasn’t ruined was stolen.”
The dumpster, the porta-potties and fees to dump the trash — all donated.
Rosa Uriarte said she’s grateful for all of the support.
“I’m happy because the people coming for help here and cleaning, everybody coming, thank you so much,” said Uriarte.
“We thrive on communities helping one another and this is something that brings us closer. It’s a chance for us to all get to know our neighbors,” said Guin.
The National Weather Service said it wasn’t a tornado that did the damage, but strong winds reaching 70 to 80 mph.
The police department is accepting donations for the families at the town hall. They’ve also set up a GoFundMe.
