Glenwood Report (part 2) by Richard Torres

Glenwood Report - part 2
by Richard Torres

GLENWOOD NM JULY 6, 2012  A portable steel bridge has been staged in Glenwood in case of need. New Mexico State Highway Patrol and the Catron County Sheriffs Office has established extra patrols along the Flood Zone area for safety.

Members of the Apache/Cruzville VFD at the Alma Division staging area. Photo: R Torres

Members of the National Guard at the Alma Division staging area. Photo: R Torres

Quemado VFD also assisting and located at the Alma Division staging area. Photo: R Torres

Glenwood report by Richard Torres

GLENWOOD NM JULY 06, 2012
by Richard Torres
Catron County Flood Response Incident Management Team (CCFRIMT) Commander Zina McGuire states: "We are planning for many eventualities. We are doing the best we can to be ready. All volunteers are to be commended for their efforts."

The CCFRIMT has approximately sixty-six (66) men and women in Operation Support positions. Central Command, equiped with a communication center, is based in Reserve. Five (5) Division Centers are located at key points throughout the Flood Zone. The CCFRIMT is operating 24/7 till further notice.

Mineral Creek bridge located just south of Alma on Highway 180 at approximately 4pm Thursday(7-5), facing East. Photo: R Torres

Mineral Creek bridge located just south of Alma on Highway 180 at about 4pm Thursday (7-5), facing West. Photo: R Torres

Whitewater Creek located in downtown Glenwood on Highway 180 at about 4:15pm Thursday (7-5), facing West. Note wooden guardrail: steel guardrail war removed and replaced with wooden guardrail. Photo: R Torres

Whitewater Creek located in downtown Glenwood on Highway 180 at about 4:15pm Thursday (7-5), facing , facing East. Note cement block installation. In addition to banks lined with cement blocks, large cement barriers will be installed to help direct water flow. Photo: R Torres

Whitewater-Baldy Complex interview

MOGOLLON,  NM FRIDAY MAY 25, 2012.  Richard Torres, columnist for Glenwood Gazette, was able to talk to longtime Mogollon resident Katie Morgan over the phone today at approximately 11:30am. Katie is in Mogollon.

Richard (R):  Has anyone evacuated?

Katie Morgan (KM): No.

R:  How many residents are staying?

KM: About 17 of us.

R: So, about 17 residents are staying?

KM:  That’s right. There is a road closure, so nobody is coming up. There is a lot of traffic on the road with all the tankers coming up. We have at least 27 trucks sitting in our yard….in the town.

R: Has hose lines been stretched out around town?

KM:  Yes, they have done that, and water bladders are connected to the hose lines.

R: What about air quality?

KM:  We haven’t had any smoke problem in here. It’s all blowing to the east of us, northeast. No ash, no nothing here in town.

R: Is visibility good?

KM:  Yes.

R: What about flames? Can you see them at night?

KM:  A few…more than we have seen before.

R:  And you can see the flames in what direction from your business?

KM: Southeast.

R: And if an evacuation becomes necessary, are you prepared?

KM:  I’ve got stuff packed and ready to go if we have to.

R: Anything you would like to add?

KM: No, other than the firefighters are doing a wonderful job. We have really good crews in here and they are doing a good job.