What a Disaster???

Governor declares disaster in Farmington, Navajo NationBy Steve Lynn The Daily Times
Posted: 08/18/2010 12:41:20 AM MDT


Click photo to enlargeDirt left from the flood on Aug. 1 on Wildwood Drive still is... (Rebecca Craig/The Daily Times)«1»SAN JUAN COUNTY — Gov. Bill Richardson on Tuesday declared state disasters in Farmington, the Navajo Nation and other parts of New Mexico. The move could free up as much as $1.9 million for cleanup efforts.
Richardson directed the state Department of Finance and Administration to make the emergency money available to aid areas recovering from damage that occurred from July 25 to Aug. 8, according to a prepared statement from his office.

Richardson also issued executive orders declaring state disasters in Mora, Socorro and McKinley counties and Pueblo of Acoma.

Farmington Mayor Tommy Roberts declared a disaster last week, hoping the state would contribute toward Farmington's estimated $2 million cleanup costs. It hoped for as much as $750,000 in state funding.

"It is anticipated that the state will likely seek a response declaration from the federal government, as well, because it's based on an aggregate of damage statewide in a number of flooding events that have taken place throughout the state," City Manager Rob Mayes said.

In that case, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would evaluate damage statewide, Mayes said. The city does not believe Farmington will qualify for federal funding for residents from the agency.

If the state requests and is granted federal FEMA reimbursement, the $750,000 cap would not take effect, Mayes said. The city would instead be eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent federal and 18 percent state funding. The city would be required to pay 7 percent.