Otero County Govts. Criticized for Shelter Shortfalls as Mescalero Apache Tribe Steps Up During Brutal Winter Storm

Alamogordo, NM – January 27, 2026 – A punishing winter storm—dubbed Storm Fern—has battered southern New Mexico since late last week, dumping heavy snow and ice across the Sacramento Mountains, causing widespread power outages affecting thousands, and plunging temperatures into the teens. While restoration crews from Otero County Electric Cooperative and PNM battle downed lines, broken poles, and hazardous terrain in communities like Cloudcroft, Timberon, and parts of the Mescalero Apache Reservation, the event has reignited debate over local governments’ preparedness for extreme weather, particularly in providing warm shelters for vulnerable residents.

Power outages peaked in the thousands in Otero County’s mountainous areas, with lingering blackouts reported as of Monday morning. Basin communities around Alamogordo fared better with lighter snow and faster recovery, but higher elevations continue to face frozen pipes, isolation, and life-threatening cold.

Otero County’s response represents a profound breakdown in leadership, made worse by the fact that the county holds far greater authority and capacity than the City of Alamogordo in situations involving public health, emergency sheltering, and regional coordination. The County Commission oversees a public health department, emergency management infrastructure, and county‑wide resources that are explicitly designed to respond to crises affecting vulnerable residents. It can activate emergency shelters, deploy public health personnel, coordinate with state agencies, allocate ARPA or contingency funds, and issue emergency declarations that unlock additional support. By contrast, the City of Alamogordo has no public health department, no social‑services division, and far more limited statutory authority; its role is largely supportive, not primary. Yet despite having the tools, funding mechanisms, and jurisdictional responsibility, the county defaulted to passive statements and symbolic concern while the Mescalero Apache Tribe and local nonprofits stepped in to provide the sheltering and humanitarian support the county itself is structurally obligated—and fully capable—to lead. This gap between what the county could do and what it chose to do underscores a failure not of resources, but of will, leadership, and accountability.

The City of Alamogordo, by contrast, has been transparent about its constraints. City officials state they lack the authority to independently declare a “Code Blue” cold-weather emergency or operate equivalent health services. Instead, the city has relied on community partners like Mountain View Church for primary sheltering. When church leaders requested help, Mayor Sharon McDonald and Acting City Manager Dr. Hernandez responded swiftly—approving staff to open the Recreation Center for showers, even with city facilities otherwise closed. These ad-hoc efforts demonstrate flexibility but highlight the city’s dependence on nonprofits rather than leading a broader response.

Standing out amid the criticism is the Mescalero Apache Tribe, which activated a clear and effective protocol. On January 26, the tribe announced via its official channels: “As temperatures are set to drop into the teens this evening, we want to remind everyone that the Warm Shelter is available at the Activity Hall in the Community Center. Join us for a warm and welcoming place to gather. Enjoy hot coffee and stay cozy with your neighbors! Open 24 hours to ensure everyone has a safe place to stay warm. Please take care of yourselves and each other during this chilly weather. Stay warm!” Earlier updates established emergency shelters through the tribe’s Emergency Operations Center and included provisions like meals for those without electricity, earning praise for its prompt, community-centered approach.

Local advocate Greg Gutierrez has proposed a Southern New Mexico Regional Emergency Preparedness Plan to bridge these gaps through joint efforts across Otero and Lincoln Counties. The comprehensive framework targets cities (Alamogordo, Tularosa, Ruidoso, Cloudcroft), rural areas (Timberon, Sunspot, Mayhill, Bent), Holloman AFB, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Key elements include:

• Pre-designated, ADA-compliant warming/cooling centers with backup power, water, communications, and pet access.

• Automatic “Code Blue/Red” activation triggers (e.g., ≤15°F for 12+ hours with outages).

• Multi-layered alerts via text, radio, TV, sirens, ham radio, and door-to-door outreach.

• Infrastructure upgrades: generators for critical sites, mutual aid pacts, prioritized road clearing, and fire mitigation.

• A task force of emergency managers, city/county/tribal reps, utilities, hospitals, volunteers, state DHSEM, and FEMA for drills and updates.

• Funding from FEMA/DHS grants, USDA rural programs, local ordinances, and nonprofits like the Red Cross.

Gutierrez invites public feedback to refine and implement the plan, arguing it would close longstanding holes in sheltering, communication, and resilience. He challenges locals to contact the county commissioner and pressure to finally implement a plan. 

As crews work to restore power and frigid conditions persist, the storm has underscored a stark reality: while the City of Alamogordo and the Mescalero Apache Tribe have acted decisively within their means, Otero County’s superior resources have yet to deliver reliable, coordinated aid for the most vulnerable. Advocates say regional collaboration is urgently needed to avoid repeating these hardships in future extreme weather events.

More News from Alamogordo

• Azar Rangel Withdraws from Consideration for Alamogordo City Commission District 5 Appointment Part 4 in our series on candidates for appointment for Alamogordo City Commission District 5
• Q&A Interview: Al Hernandez for Alamogordo City Commission District 5 Part 3 in our series of candidates to be appointed to district 5 city commission