The White House Approves Disaster Assistance for Four New Mexico Counties

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced the White House has approved his request for federal disaster assistance for the four New Mexico counties that experienced extensive damage from severe storms earlier last month.

New Mexico has been awarded a Federal Disaster Declaration through the Department of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Management Agency for Eddy, Mora, San Miguel, and Bernalillo Counties.

“I am gratified the counties will be able to access this badly needed assistance,” said Richardson. “I’ll work to ensure the federal government comes through for every New Mexican affected by these powerful storms, and the flooding and damage that followed.”

The federal declaration will make available federal assistance in the form of a 75 percent cost-share in repairing damage to public facilities, roads, utilities, acequias, and other eligible non-profit groups caused by the storms. FEMA officials were expected to arrive in New Mexico on Monday to begin working with the New Mexico Office of Emergency Management and local government officials to begin the process of recovery.

The Governor previously had declared these counties eligible for state disaster assistance. A total of $1.5 million in state disaster relief funding is available, also through a 75-percent cost-share for damage repair.