Feb 25, 2004
By The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency in part of New Mexico as a winter storm left roads virtually impassable, closed schools and blanketed one town with 13 inches of snow.

Richardson's declaration signed late Tuesday freed up about $750,000 to help cover overtime costs for road crews, police and emergency workers, said Pahl Shipley, a spokesman for the governor.

The worst of the snow and rain was across northern, eastern and central New Mexico. Truckers and other travelers packed truck stops and hotels and some utility customers lost power. State employees were sent home early and Los Alamos National Laboratory closed for the day.

All roads were listed as "clear and passable" by the state Transportation Department, although officials warned sections of Interstates 40 and 25, which had temporarily been closed, were still wet and icy.

The winter storm had moved out of the state by early Wednesday but schools remained closed or morning openings delayed in several affected towns.

The storm blanketed the New Mexico community of Las Vegas with 13 inches of snow, and the nearby mountains received 20 inches. Sandia Park, on the east side of the Sandia Mountains, received up to 11 inches of snow, the National Weather Service said.

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On the Net:

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com

AccuWeather: http://www.accuweather.com

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040225/D80UC1I80.html