Burn scar floods from Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire ruin Rociada home
'We're two years into this, and this is just the tip of the iceberg'
'We're two years into this, and this is just the tip of the iceberg'
'We're two years into this, and this is just the tip of the iceberg'
It's been two years since the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire erupted in northern New Mexico.
Those living there are still feeling its impacts and tell KOAT they have yet to get any relief money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"in my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I'd have to start all over again. It's hard and it's scary," Geri Herrera told KOAT. "We have been incredibly busy, trying, first of all, to protect what's left."
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Herrera's ranch in lower Rociada was spared by the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Fire, but it has fallen victim to several flash floods because of the nearby burn scars.
Herrera and her husband Frank have set up several Hesco barriers to protect their property. Several of them can be seen around their home.
"We had flooding again last July and August, and these went a long ways towards keeping us safe. These will be up for five or six years," said Herrera. "That's a little scary when my husband and I are up in age. I hope we live to see them come down."
The floods at the Herrera Ranch are pretty violent. KOAT witnessed it firsthand in 2022 as one hit immediately following an interview with the Herrera family.
"I appreciate you being here. You've kept our story in the forefront. I don't want people to forget this isn't over by any stretch of the imagination," said Herrera.
Because of the several floods, the Herreras house was jarred by the water, setting it off just enough to where it no longer seals correctly.
"We worked so hard to save the house, but we are a victim of black mold. We had no defenses up when the initial flooding started on July 1st of 2022," said Herrera.
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The home now has to be rebuilt. But it won't be until the Herrera family gets relief money from FEMA. So far, the family has spent $50,000 of their own money to fix up things damaged by the flooding, including their carport, land and pond. But silt from the floods has filled up the entire pond and is several feet deep under their home.
"We have not received one cent from FEMA or any other organization," said Herrera. "Now, the big concern and I've been told by, engineers, if you look at that hillside just right over there, that's in danger of collapsing, that's rock. And from all the water that's come down off that hillside, it's cracked. So that could potentially come down and take up my barn."
In the meantime, the Herrera family is hoping relief money comes through quickly so they can start the rebuilding process.
"There's a lot of stuff that we can do that doesn't require the big bucks, but at this point, we're at a standstill in terms of replacing the house, because we have a very small window of opportunity for construction," said Herrera. "We've got five good months because of the elevation, the snow and the weather up here. So, at this point, if we're not funded within the next month or so, then this will be postponed another year."
According to FEMA, it's paid out $506 million to 2,486 claims. Of that, roughly $344.4 million was given to individuals and households.
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