Otero County Commission to Declare Winter Storm Emergency Amid Calls for Enhanced City-County Collaboration on Cold-Weather Responses

Alamogordo, NM – January 31, 2026 – The Otero County Commission is set to hold a special meeting Monday to declare a winter storm event emergency, a move that would streamline resource coordination, activate emergency protocols, and potentially access additional state and federal aid amid the ongoing impacts of Winter Storm Fern.

The severe weather system, which has brought heavy snow, ice, widespread power outages, and sub-freezing temperatures across southern New Mexico since late last week, has highlighted gaps in local emergency sheltering and response capabilities—particularly around “Code Blue” protocols for extreme cold.

This development is in tandem with recent discussions between Alamogordo Mayor Sharon McDonald and Otero County Commission Chair Marquardt on fostering a more collaborative approach to weather emergencies. During a leadership delegation trip to Santa Fe, Mayor McDonald advocated for joint initiatives with the county chair, including the establishment of clear Code Blue protocols to better protect vulnerable residents during frigid conditions.

Local reports have noted that the City of Alamogordo faces statutory limits in independently declaring or operating Code Blue emergencies, requiring full City Commission approval and facing operational hurdles like facility availability and staffing. In contrast, Otero County holds broader authority over public health, emergency management, and regional coordination resources. City officials, including Mayor McDonald and Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, have emphasized reliance on intergovernmental partnerships and community partners—such as churches and nonprofits—for shelter support, while urging collaborative formalized plans moving forward.

Criticism has emerged regarding perceived shortfalls in city and county-level leadership during the storm, with groups like the Mescalero Apache Tribe stepping in to provide warming centers and humanitarian aid where government responses lagged.

The county’s emergency declaration is seen as a step toward addressing these challenges by enabling quicker activation of shelters, health services, and recovery efforts.

The special meeting aligns with broader actions across the region, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s statewide emergency declaration and similar local resolutions in nearby areas like the Village of Ruidoso.

Residents are encouraged to stay updated via official Otero County and City of Alamogordo channels and KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org 

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