Goliath: Storm taught planning lesson

Clovis resident Edwina Gutierrez learned the value of planning ahead during Goliath.

It was just on the bridge of Cannon Air Force Base where Gutierrez found herself stuck. The storm was so severe it sealed her car doors shut.

“I was basically calling 911 and my parents right in the middle of the storm,” Gutierrez said. “The MP had to come out and got me out through my window.”

It was a mistake of underestimating the force of the storm, said Gutierrez, who was working on base at the time. Gutierrez said gate workers on base told drivers to turn around because of the severity of the storm.

“I was supposed to get out of work at 9 (that night), but I decided to stay all the way until close,” she said. “I was being hard-headed (in trying to get home) because I had a newborn baby I had to get to. At the time I was a single parent to a 22-year old and a baby.”

Gutierrez said she is extra cautious these days, especially since she has been spending the past few weeks traveling to Albuquerque for training.

“I will never tell anyone to go out there like that when they tell us about a snowstorm,” said Gutierrez. “When it starts getting cold, I start dreading it.”

She offered some useful advice to her fellow residents.

“Basically, get a lot of plastic wrap for your windows, extra clothes and honestly listen to the weatherman,” Gutierrez said.