The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Wednesday denied aid to Arizona counties after September flooding.
Local officials estimate there was more than $30 million in damage to public infrastructure and homes.
“The people of Gila and Mohave County were devastated by flooding from severe monsoon storms this September. Now, they’ve been denied support from the federal government with little explanation,” Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) said in a statement.
“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,” she added.
Hobbs said the state would appeal FEMA’s denial for disaster relief. The Department of Homeland Security, which houses FEMA, did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on the matter.
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However, the Trump administration has sought to shrink federal disaster assistance to states and denied disaster relief to Colorado after a series of wildfires and floods earlier this year, with strong objections from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D).
“I call on the President’s better angels, and urge him to reconsider these requests. This is about the Coloradans who need this support, and we won’t stop fighting for them to get what they deserve. Colorado will be appealing this decision,” Polis said earlier this week in a statement.
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Under the Stafford Act, a president can unlock additional federal assistance by declaring a major disaster.
Arizona officials have echoed calls for aid as communities struggle to recover from flooding.
“These floods caused historic and unprecedented damage and has forever transformed our small, tight-knit rural communities. Our community is extremely disappointed by FEMA’s short-sighted decision to deny the State’s Major Disaster Declaration and we respectfully request that it reexamines their methodology and determines that this devastating flood event meets the critical criteria,” Globe, Ariz., Mayor Al Gameros (D) said.
“I strongly urge FEMA to reverse course and immediately issue an approved Major Disaster Declaration,” Gameros added.
