New Mexico Governor, Susana Martinez, Declares State Of Emergency Due To Life-Threatening Snow Storm [PHOTOS]

New Mexico's White Christmas received more than what it bargained for as a massive winter storm slammed the state, shutting down Interstate 40's eastbound lanes from Albuquerque to Texas. Residents are encouraged to stay home and avoid traveling on I-40, which is also closed in Texas and Oklahoma.

Governor Susana Martinez declared State of Emergency in New Mexico due to the life-threatening blizzard conditions that began over the weekend. “Someone may look out the winter in Albuquerque or Santa Fe and say, ‘It doesn’t seem that bad,’ but it is extremely bad,” Martinez said, according to KOAT News. “I cannot express how serious the situation is. The southeastern part of the state has 16 to 20 inches of snow with snow drifts of 8 to 10 feet.”

The US National Weather Service Albuquerque New Mexico wrote the following message on Facebook:

High winds, heavy snow and blowing snow continue to create extremely dangerous and life-threatening conditions in eastern New Mexico, including Chaves ... Curry ... De Baca ... Guadalupe ... Roosevelt ...and Lincoln counties. Snow drifts up to 10 feet combined with low to near zero visibilities, wind gusts ranging from 40 to 60 mph and negative wind chills are creating extremely hazardous travel conditions. Weather conditions will continue to gradually improve from west to east as the afternoon progresses.

According to Martinez, the situation is dire, especially in the eastern half of the state where the storm has hit hardest and continues to dump snow.

"We monitored the situation throughout the night and activated the National Guard to assist stranded motorists. We have a lot of resources on the ground to clear our roads as well as conduct search and rescue operations. I ask New Mexicans to please stay off the roads until the conditions improve."