Los Alamos Police Department Cmdr. Daniel Roberts has put on his other hat as National Guard LTC Daniel Roberts, having been called to State Active Duty in response to the emergency situation caused by catastrophic fire and flooding in the Ruidoso area. Courtesy photo
Flooding has destroyed roads and washed rocks and debris into areas where there are homes. The National Guard is providing resources and expertise to assist residents in restoring roads and removing materials as necessary. Courtesy photo
New Mexico National Guard members load sandbags for distribution as needed. Courtesy photo
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Editor’s note: Jeff Roberts contributed to this article.
Heavy rain and extreme flooding continue to plague the community of Ruidoso and the surrounding areas and as a result of the burn scars left by recent the South Fork and Salt Fires the community has been experiencing the destruction flash floods can cause. Just as residents seem to be getting some reprieve from flash floods and have begun to dig themselves out from mud and debris, the floods hit again.
When Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency, more than 100 members of the New Mexico National Guard were called to active duty including LTC Daniel Roberts, of Los Alamos, a Los Alamos Police Department Commander. When originally called up, Roberts reported to the Joint Operations Center at the Santa Fe Armory, where U.S. Army and Air Force come together in response to emergencies in the state. Since then he has been deployed to lead the Task Force Southern Command where more than 100 National Guard members are assisting folks in Ruidoso, Lincoln County, Chavez County, the Mescalero Reservation and San Miguel County. with their needs during the emergency.
“We are helping with flash flood rescue operations, working to unblock roads so that people can come and go from their homes, delivering sandbags and using heavy equipment to remove obstacles and tons of soil and debris the flash floods leave behind,” LTC Roberts said. “This is a very trying time for the residents of Ruidoso and the other communities affected by the flooding. I am honored to serve in any role I can to help the people of our state, This is a real
team effort; without the dedication of the members of the guard, the leadership, staff, and the support of the Governor’s office we wouldn’t have been able to reach out to the people in need”.
Roberts said many people outside the area don’t understand how much damage a flash flood can cause, how quickly it can show up and how it will take everything in its way with it. Residents and business owners have had to repeatedly remove mud only to have it take over their property again the next time it rains. The force of the water can be seen in this video:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/7711734748924626.
With more than 20 years of military experience between U.S. Army active duty and the National Guard, Roberts has worked on several emergency situations at home and abroad such as hurricanes in Puerto Rico, the Dog Head Fire in 2017 and several other state emergencies. in 2011, when a deep freeze plunged the state into subzero temperatures for several days leaving an estimated 32,000 homes and businesses without natural gas, Roberts was in charge of National Guard emergency operations in the Espanola Valley, where he coordinated and supervised hundreds of soldiers as well as gas technicians and police officers.
“Being away from my wife Kim and my son who is just a toddler has been difficult but we are used to me being gone regularly for weekend Guard duty. Taking time away from my position at LAPD has also been difficult, however Chief Dino Sgambellone is 100 percent supportive of military operations,” Roberts said. “The work being done to help these communities in our state is amazing. Guardsmen have been honored for saving lives. Be a part of this is a great experience.”
Scene from the Ruidoso area where some 1,400 buildings were lost in the South Fork and Salt Fires. Courtesy photo
This photo shows the level of destruction caused by catastrophic flooding. It will take extensive work to return roads like this to their original condition. Courtesy photo