Storms cause damage to parts of the East Mountains

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Powerful storms on the east side of the Sandias and the Manzanos caused major damage to homes and power poles and flooded a state highway Wednesday. A few big storms passed through areas across Santa Fe and Torrance County Wednesday.

Video from Mike Bischoff shot with his drone showing what happened on Highway 47 South of Estancia and Willard. Cars came to a stand-still stuck in inches of rain and hail that flowed over the road. “There was about 30 cars trapped in that area and a few cars where actually washed off of the road by the debris,” said Mike Bischoff, truck driver.

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Mike said he was stuck on the highway for around three hours before crews came by to plow the hail and help cars get rolling again. “The pastures as I was leaving most of them looked like lakes which was crazy,” said Bischoff.

Further to the west of that flood another storm took out power in a big way near Edgewood.

Central New Mexico Electrical Coop said they had 12 power lines knocked down by yesterday’s storms.  “That affected close to close to 7,000 meters,” said Alena Brandenberger/CEO, CNMEC.

The Central Electric Co-op said power went out shortly before three yesterday and only came back online overnight. “It just was violent, immediately there was no build-up it was just suddenly here it was, and it was just load and fierce,” said Barry White, the homeowner.

“I hope it never happens again, haha,” said White.

The town of Edgewood said around 12 homes suffered significant damage to roofs and windows as a result of the storm. The town said it’s working with Santa Fe County and congresswoman Melanie Stansbury’s office to get assistance to those affected.

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