Winter storm prompts closures in northern New Mexico

Jonathan Fjeld | KOB

Winter storm prompts closures in northern New Mexico

Authorities closed multiple highways in northern New Mexico, including Interstate 25, due to an ongoing winter storm.

RATON, N.M. — Authorities closed multiple highways in northern New Mexico, including Interstate 25, due to an ongoing winter storm.

I-25 is closed at mile marker 460, near Raton Pass. Between Raton and Clayton, an 80-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 64 is closed in both directions.

Authorities also closed an 82-mile stretch of U.S. 56 between Clayton and Springer.

At around 3 p.m., the New Mexico Department of Transportation received a call that “more than 25 cars” were stranded along U.S. 56 near Clayton.

Officials said a family with a 4-month-old baby was in one of the cars.

After several hours of work clearing snow, they freed the cars and brought them to Clayton.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque reported 66 mph peak wind gusts in Raton. They also reported 64 mph gusts in Clayton.

NMDOT reported snow-packed and icy conditions. There is also zero visibility due to blizzard conditions.

“Do not travel if you don’t have to in northeastern NM,” the National Weather Service stated in a social media post.

I-25 at Raton Pass (left) and Raton (right)

To the south, New Mexico State Police reported two closures on Interstate 40.

At milepost 291, around 18 miles east of Santa Rosa, New Mexico State Police reported a multi-vehicle crash closed westbound I-40. That closed the westbound lanes to mile marker 329, in Tucumcari.

According to State Police, one person died in the crash. Multiple others also sustained injuries.

Earlier, they closed the westbound lanes at milepost 6, near the Arizona state line, due to a semi-truck crash.

For live traffic updates, click here to visit the KOB 4 Traffic page.

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