Coker Road rain damage threatens homes; residents can’t get help

The City of Socorro was left relatively undamaged by the rain with the exception of one dirt road, Coker Road. But Coker isn’t really a road right now, more like a mud pit lined with homes. Neighbors say they’re scared of sinking in, but because it’s all private property, no one has to help them.

Socorro resident Pete Murillo is angry. He’s lived on Coker Road in Socorro for 40 years.

“I knew this was coming,” Murrillo said. “I’m telling you I been here long enough to know.”

His house and the homes of his neighbors are completely isolated. Barely anyone braves through this muddy mush that sucks in cars like quick sand.

The road is saturated from rains earlier this week, and now with a second down pour, the road is soft enough to cave in. It could barely handle the weight of my foot, more or less the weight of a car.

5’11” photographer Johnny Munoz explored the cracked canal that towered over his head, and threatens to fall in when residents least expect it.

“And I know we need that road to be dug out to use as an arroyo because we cannot do anything about the water coming down,” Murillo said. “It’s a tremendous amount of water.”

Murillo said he went to the Socorro City Council on Thursday, warning them Coker Road needed help.

“The bottom line was that it was private and he cannot do anything about it unless they declare a state of emergency, but they said they can’t be declaring states of emergency all the time,” Murillo said.

Prevention is not the city’s job in this case. The city’s spokesman tells ABC-7 because Coker is a private road, the city is not mandated to respond.However, if an evacuation is needed, these homeowners can ask for help and the city will assist.

“We did not want anything fancy done to the road,” Murillo said. “We just wanted some of the sand removed but they cannot do it because its private road.”

Murillo’s on his own. He’s tried logs, sand bags, and dirt barriers, but the water keeps pouring in, encroaching closer and closer to front door.

Murillo’s worst fear is right in front of him, a constant reminder of what could happen. It’s a home is completely buried in sand, and the living room now abandoned. The scariest part is there are three homes behind it that can’t even be seen because they’ve been buried.

“I’m scared for the people,” Murillo said. “Right now I’m at a high level, but one more the water really is going to go in there.”