Outages pull the plug on Ruidoso area

Power outages knocked the Village of Ruidoso and adjacent portions of Lincoln County off the grid Tuesday morning, and PNM reported that more than 12,000 customers were without power before the lights came back on.

A PNM spokesman said the problems had been traced to transmission lines but was unable to say exactly where they were or what had caused them, although with winds gusting heavily in the region he said falling branches or other wind-driven debris were suspected.

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The interruptions began at about 11 a.m. and continued through early afternoon. Power came back on in at least some Village locations at about 2:45 p.m.

Traffic signals throughout Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs were not working. Ruidoso Downs Police officers took over traffic control at the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and the entrance to Walmart, which closed when the lights went out.

Albertsons was also reported closed, as were ENMU and the Boys and Girls Club.

PNM spokesman Dan Ware in Albuquerque said crews were responding and "doing their best."