Feds partially grant emergency declaration for northern NM flooding

Governor will seek federal reimbursement again once all damage is assessed

SANTA FE – The federal government has partially granted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s request for an emergency declaration in response to historic flooding in northern New Mexico, as the Governor signed executive orders today making $8.25 million more in state funding available for flood response.

The orders make $750,000 in state emergency funds available for the National Guard’s flood response in San Juan County, and $7.5 million available for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s disaster response. More state money will follow as damage estimates come in.

The federal declaration, approved Monday by the President, covers San Juan, Rio Arriba, Cibola and Sandoval counties and Acoma Pueblo, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Zia Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo. It authorizes direct federal assistance, and the state can now request help from federal agencies, including:

• Support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with debris removal and damage assessments
• Flood monitoring from the U.S. Geological Survey
• Drinking water testing from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Mass care, sheltering and drinking water distribution from FEMA

“The White House approved our request for an emergency declaration quickly, but this is only the first step,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “New Mexico is facing its second major flood in a month, and our counties and Tribal nations have spent everything they have keeping people safe. They shouldn’t have to carry those costs alone. I will keep pressing the federal government to do its part and get them the help they need.”

The federal government did not grant the state’s full request for reimbursement for debris removal and emergency protective measures. That money would have repaid the state, counties and Tribal nations for the work they have done to rescue residents, protect lives and clear debris. Once damage is assessed, the Governor will once again request a Major Disaster Declaration to seek that reimbursement and federal help with recovery. The state is preparing that request now and plans to include Santa Fe and Socorro counties, with more counties likely to be added as damage is assessed.

The emergency declaration to which the federal government responded today is separate from the Governor’s Oct. 23 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for flooding that struck southern New Mexico from Sept. 20 through Oct. 2. That request, which is still pending, seeks federal help to repair an estimated $27.1 million in public infrastructure damage across 14 counties and three Tribal nations.

Residents affected by flooding should:

• Call 911 if trapped or in immediate danger.
• Call 2-1-1 for other assistance.
• Never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.
• Check road conditions at nmroads.com.

Find more information about flood safety at https://www.dhsem.nm.gov/preparedness-for-residents/flooding/.