EF-1 Tornado Leaves Santa Fe Homes Dark and Dry Two Days Later
Utility crews repair damage as residents wait for assessments and water restoration in a hard-hit neighborhood.
By Paula Delgado ·
Two days after an EF-1 tornado swept through a Santa Fe neighborhood, several families remain without power and water. The storm, which struck Saturday night, damaged homes, vehicles, and utility infrastructure across the area. Residents are currently managing daily life with limited services while repair crews work on the scene.
David Martinez said the tornado hit his backyard, forcing his family to spend a second night without electricity or water. Additional repairs were required before utility services could be restored to his home. Martinez stated that the experience felt like camping in his own house. He noted that people do not realize how much they depend on electricity until it disappears. Martinez is currently borrowing electricity from a neighbor while repairs continue.
Nearby, Mary Elsesser reported that a roof section from a neighboring property landed on her home. The impact broke gas lines, prompting the fire department to shut off the gas and remove the meter. Elsesser described her house as uninhabitable at the moment due to these issues. Other homes in the immediate vicinity also sustained heavy damage, leaving some residents unable to stay in their homes.
Christopher Dow said he felt his house shift during the storm. He is waiting to determine the extent of the structural damage. Dow observed that the house may have moved off its foundation because everything inside appeared shifted. Dirt and debris from the movement covered the bedroom on the far side of the home. Dow expressed surprise at the tornado, noting that Santa Fe usually experiences hail and rain rather than tornadoes. He said he is glad he is safe and that the situation could have been worse.
PNM reported that the Saturday tornado left more than 400 customers without power. The storm damaged five power poles in the area. As of Sunday, PNM stated that 10 customers were still without electricity. These remaining outages are due to homeowners needing extra repairs before power can be restored to their homes.
Source: KOB · original report published
