NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham | governor.state.nm.us
The state of New Mexico has received partial approval for a federal emergency declaration aimed at assisting flood-damaged communities. This approval will provide immediate federal personnel resources to support response and recovery efforts in Ruidoso. Efforts are ongoing to secure additional federal assistance.
"This federal declaration is a critical first step, but it’s not everything Ruidoso needs and deserves," said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. "We will continue working with the federal government for every dollar and resource necessary to help this resilient community fully recover from these devastating floods."
The approved emergency declaration includes immediate assistance for life-saving activities such as urban search and rescue teams and support staff for the incident management team.
However, some requests remain under federal review. The governor's original request sought additional assistance including direct financial aid for individuals, households, and businesses in Lincoln and Valencia counties. This aid would cover expenses such as home repairs or replacements, medical and personal costs, temporary housing, transitional sheltering assistance, and more.
Furthermore, the request includes federal reimbursement for emergency work like debris removal in Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia counties. It also seeks permanent repair of disaster-damaged facilities and public infrastructure in these areas.
In support of the governor's request, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is collaborating with FEMA to conduct preliminary damage assessments and provide necessary documentation.
A state Disaster Recovery Center is operational at ENMU-Ruidoso to assist residents with document replacement, insurance inquiries, and resource location. Residents can also contact the State Disaster Helpline or visit the department's website for further assistance.
