FEMA denies Arizona’s disaster relief request after severe flooding

Arizona Faces Setback as FEMA Denies Flood Relief Request

In a significant development for Arizona, FEMA has declined a plea for disaster relief following severe flooding that affected Gila and Mohave counties. The late September floods wreaked havoc, particularly in Globe and Miami, resulting in damages estimated at $30 million and causing the tragic loss of four lives.

Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, had declared a state of emergency in October, mobilizing state resources for repair efforts. She sought federal support by applying for disaster relief, which was subsequently denied. Details of her application can be found here.

An assessment revealed 312 homes were impacted, with 64 destroyed, 89 suffering major damage, and 159 facing minor damage. More than 180 residents needed emergency shelter, while 74 households lacked flood insurance. Emergency alerts were issued to over 8,464 individuals at the height of the crisis, as detailed in Hobbs’ letter to President Trump.

This week, FEMA concluded its review and denied the Major Disaster Declaration request. According to a letter from FEMA official Karen Evans, the damages were deemed manageable by state and local agencies. The letter explicitly stated, “Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments. Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental federal assistance is not necessary. Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied.” The full letter can be viewed here.

Christian Slater, spokesperson for Governor Hobbs, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of detailed reasoning from FEMA. “We were extremely disappointed to see not only this denial, but also the kind of lack of communication and lack of explanation coming from the federal government,” he noted.

Governor Hobbs issued a strong response, stating, “By denying much-needed relief, this administration is leaving Arizonans out on their own after their homes, businesses, roads, and bridges were decimated by historic storms. I will appeal this reckless decision and continue doing everything in my power to ensure Arizona communities don’t pay the price for the federal government’s senseless policies.”