topic Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While in Community Chat

I Will Be Inactive for a While

On It — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:03:33 GMT

We will be going back to New Mexico tomorrow. Our internet and TV provider lost its hub that provides the signal to the area. They estimate 6-10 weeks before it can be rebuilt. We will not have internet service. I wanted you all to know I am fine, just unable to communicate.

My son told me to use my phone as a hot spot. We will save that for business matters. Our data plan is low since I never use my phone for anything but calls and texts. The ATT tower should be fully operational today.

Most of the power lines to the critical towers burned. PNM, our electric provider, has 400 employees trying to replace 1,300 utility poles. We are fortunate. We have power. My neighbor has Wi-fi from a different provider. I called his provider to add a second Wi-fi to our house. My appointment is July 25. They have expedited our installation, are possibly bringing in additional installers, and will move us up the wait list if they do get additional help. We will keep both providers as back-ups to each other.

The hospital has reopened. At our age, we were not going to go back without medical services. I have prescriptions to refill. We are taking a huge amount of water. The state water testing lab is backed up, so the village is on a boil water notice until the results are available.

The village is packed with recovery workers. The virtual meeting I watched introduced everyone. People were there from Washington, DC.

Currently, flooding is a big threat. Soil burned in a wildfire is like concrete. No water can penetrate it. The rain rushes down slopes picking up debris, logs, and gunk. Flash flooding is a certainty. Our house is not in a flood prone area, but our access to it is. We know the area well and have a residential street that is on high ground that will take us to the main highway. The monsoon season is beginning. We need the rain, but need it to fall away from the burn scars. I think that is an impossible wish to grant.

Engineers and consultants are studying the South wall of the Upper Canyon. They fear it will collapse and produce a catastrophic landslide. Mitigation is underway to reinforce the canyon walls. The river will be impacted affecting water supply to the village and communities in the valley downstream if there is a collapse.

Speaking of the Upper Canyon, I was listening to the scanner on the day of the fire. The person in charge said that he was pulling all personnel from the back of the canyon. Fire had breached the canyon walls, and they were at risk. I sent a quick message we were evacuating. We left quickly. I know the topography. If the fire made its way through the bottom of that canyon it would be funneled to the main highway and the heart of the village. Prior to that, the fire was running parallel to us. My only concern was being able to breathe, but that became a nonissue. The fire burned everything in the back of the canyon which only has one exit. It was stopped just before the second bridge and hundreds of homes were saved.

Thank you to everyone who voiced their concern in earlier posts. We may be old, but with that came some wisdom. It is going to be interesting to return to my childhood where the only entertainment was the radio, puzzles, board games, and reading.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

luvzchiz — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:08:04 GMT

@On It Thanks for the update. Wishing you and all in the area as quick a remediation as possible. Stay safe. My prayers are with you.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

m0rgan — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:09:50 GMT

If you have access to a library there, you could take out a "hotspot". That's what we do when we come to our second house and do not have internet. Ours gives you internet for 3 weeks at a time. Just a thought.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Skyegirl21 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:15:03 GMT

Best wishes at this difficult time-

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Desertdi — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:15:04 GMT

@On It

Godspeed, di

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

We rescue cats — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:17:36 GMT

My thoughts and prayers are going with you, please take good care.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Kachina624 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:25:05 GMT

@On It I imagine it's going to be depressing to return to an area that you love that is so devastated. Its never going to be the same again in our lifetime. If it becomes too much, you can always return home.

Remember when I told you about the location of my friend's cabin on the road where the US Forest Service headquarters is located? Did that canyon burn? You told me the name but I've forgotten.

We'll miss you but understand your need to be back there to protect your house. Holler at us when you can.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

ECBG — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:30:11 GMT

Sending prayers for this difficult time.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Enufstuff — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:11:21 GMT

@On It

It sounds like quite an ordeal, trying to get things back to somewhat normal. I'm sure that it will take some time like you said, 6-10 weeks. I hope that all goes well with all the people

working to accomplish all that needs to be restored and repaired.

I hope that you continue to stay safe. I wish that I could send some of my way too many books, to you.

I wish all the best for you, your family, and community.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Pezzie — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:47:23 GMT

@On It All the best to you. Stay safe, and whenever feasible give us a shout to let us know how things are going.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Estellee — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:48:33 GMT

I'm glad you at least have power, take care @On It and thank you for all your updates

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

tends2dogs — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:50:24 GMT

I have been following your plight and flight. I am sorry for all that you have lost, but be thankful that you made it out safely. I have always enjoyed your posts and will miss them.

We have to embrace and give thanks for what we have during these storms in life. Find joy and fullfillment in the simpler life for now, doing puzzles, reading, playing games, and listening to the radio. It is your time to take a big breath.

Prayers for you and all that have been effected by this terrible, terrible tragedy.

Be safe and well, @On It .

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

On It — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:59:57 GMT

@Kachina624 Unfortunately the area where I think you stayed was Cedar Creek. As far as I can tell, everything burned. There is a bit of National forest left at the front of the area, but everything behind that and to the north is gone. It is too dangerous at this point for the public to enter or even be allowed to check their homes. Recovery workers are having to leave the area throughout the day at different times because of rains and flooding threats. It will be Monday before the county assessor can go in there to record properties that were destroyed. This is Lincoln County, not Ruidoso. It falls under county jurisdiction and not the village.

The burned areas are crime scenes since the fire was arson. Search dogs are going through each property to locate human remains. Thus far, they have found no one. All of the missing individuals on the list have been located. Hopefully, there will not be any others who perished. The two who were found at the beginning are the only casualties to date.

At this point the village has lost 495 homes. Lincoln County has lost approximately 1000 structures. The news media does not grasp there are two separate numbers being reported. They are often confused about the number and the total destruction of the fire. The total destruction lies somewhere around 1400-1500 structures. An exact number is simply not possible to determine yet.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Jersey Born — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:01:32 GMT

@On It - Wishing you the very best in the days ahead-- and no flooding risk to worry about. Take care.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

meallen616 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:04:13 GMT

@On It,

Thank you so much for your post. Please take care and know that we are praying for everyone.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

sugarbee — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:54:53 GMT

@On ItSo glad you are returning to your home that was spared. Just take one day at a time and know we will be here when you are able to return to this forum.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

Nonametoday — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:57:40 GMT

@On It

I cannot even imagine going through all that you have gone through and I know others have as well and some who lost their lives, worse yet. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe and look over you and make your return as safe as possible as well as carefree as it could even be, albeit it sounds as though it will be a treacherous time for a while.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

spiderw — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:06:01 GMT

The most important thing is your health and well being. May you be safe and well as you go through this ordeal. You will get through this and find the path to peace of mind.

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

qvcfreak — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:19:05 GMT

Thanks for the update. Wishing everyone the BEST!!!

Hope everything will be up and running soon. ❤️🙏🏻

Re: I Will Be Inactive for a While

rockygems123 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:44:05 GMT

@On It

Thank you for your thorough and articulate update. You paint a picture and as you say the news just doesn't have it quite right.

Hope your local elk are OK too for the most part in your area.