FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday signed 57 emergency executive orders committing $42.75 million in state funding to flood response in northern New Mexico, moving money to communities now while the state waits for the federal government to approve reimbursement.
Each order authorizes $750,000 to remove debris and repair roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in communities harmed by flooding that began Oct. 22. Combined with $3.75 million authorized for separate flooding on Sept. 30 and $8.25 million authorized on Monday, Oct. 26, the State of New Mexico has committed nearly $55 million to flood response over the past month.
“The president has recognized what families in San Juan County already know: this is a disaster,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “What hasn’t come yet is the federal commitment to help pay for the response. FEMA should already be on the ground in New Mexico, and we can’t sit and wait for them with more storms on the way. New Mexico is now forced to cover these costs while pressing our case to Washington.”
President Trump on Friday signed an Emergency Declaration recognizing the disaster and allowing New Mexico to seek assistance from federal agencies. However, the Trump administration has not yet approved the state’s request for reimbursement of debris removal and emergency protective measures. Until it does, state, county and Tribal governments are covering those costs.
That is a departure from how disaster response has historically worked. A federal declaration has typically included a commitment to reimburse, allowing states to act immediately on cleanup and repairs. Under the Trump administration, that commitment is no longer automatic, and the shift puts significantly more work and cost on states.
The state has received indications that its request for federal financial assistance and personnel remains under consideration, and the governor and DHSEM officials will continue to request approval.
Federal reimbursement would enable the state, counties and Tribal nations to recover the cost of rescuing residents, protecting lives and clearing debris. Even with approval, federal reimbursement covers 75% of those costs, leaving state and local governments responsible for the remaining 25%.
Damage in San Juan County and surrounding areas could exceed $200 million. Thousands of homes were damaged by flooding, raw sewage spilled into the San Juan River, and communities contended with downed power lines and gas leak risks.
Gov. Lujan Grisham thanked first responders, local officials and residents of the hardest-hit communities for banding together to help their neighbors.
“Our first responders pulled families off rooftops and directly out of the water,” Lujan Grisham said. “Our road crews cleared debris around the clock, and our counties and Tribal nations spent money they don’t have to keep people safe. We’re planning now for the next storm, and we’ll keep working with our federal partners until that reimbursement is approved.”
The state is preparing a request for a Major Disaster Declaration to seek reimbursement and federal help with long-term recovery. More counties are likely to be added as damage assessments continue.
Local governments seeking state assistance should submit requests to DHSEM and must show that their response costs exceed their available resources. Residents affected by the flooding can find resources and updates at governor.state.nm.us/flooding-