"Like scraping chalk on a chalkboard or finger nails on a blackboard," is how Neal McCowan described driving through the weeds after they covered the street Sunday. "I have a pick up, so half of your pick up was driving over tumbleweeds."

The road cleared early Monday, but as winds picked up again a few hours later, the giant weeds re-emerged causing numerous cars to swerve out of the way. Some residents said their biggest fear is a fire because conditions are so dry.

"Tumble weeds burn intensely hot. It could get into the ditch or blow into someones house. It could create a hazard," said McCowan.

"It's something that needs to be taken care of rather urgently because it keeps coming into the roadway," said Gina Gentile who oversees the town of Mesilla's codes enforcement.

Gentile said the property owner has been notified, but due to budget issues, the town had been without a codes department until recently. Now officials said the problem will finally be addressed.

"By next spring they'll probably get a notice as soon as the weeds start growing if they don't take care of them before that," said Gentile.