Feds declare Arizona a disaster
Storm damage approaching $10M

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

FORT DEFIANCE — President Bush has declared a major disaster for several Arizona counties as well as the Navajo and Hopi nations, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano announced Friday.

The declaration by Bush covers storm damage from Dec. 28, 2004, to Jan. 12 and triggers the release of federal funds to help rebuild government infrastructure damaged by recent winter storms.

Napolitano requested assistance Jan. 27 under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for Apache, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties, plus the Navajo and Hopi nations.

"This funding is critical toward repairing and rebuilding public infrastructure damaged by the storms," Napolitano said. Preliminary damage assessments are approximately $9 million, 75 percent of which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will cover.

The federal government will provide funds through FEMA to repair roads and other public infrastructure. Most of Maricopa County's damages fall to the Federal Highways Administration Emergency Relief Program.

Bush denied Napolitano's request for monies to pay for damage to individuals' property and businesses; however, the governor said the state is looking to obtain funds from other avenues, including federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration, to help these Arizonans rebuild.

Based on the declaration, state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations can apply for reimbursement of eligible costs. FEMA reimbursement covers emergency response costs, emergency protective measures, debris removal and repair or replacement of damaged public facilities.

The declaration also activates the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance to state and local governments for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological hazards.

In her letter to Bush, Napolitano said all of the costs incurred by Apache County were in support of the Navajo Nation. She asked that Apache County be eligible for Public Assistance. The governor also wrote the president that disaster housing assistance is required for an estimated 94 Navajo families due to impassable road conditions and the isolation of homes.

The governor's letter estimated Navajo Nation damages in Apache County totaled $42,168; Coconino County, $25,509; and Navajo County, $219,026. It was estimated that the Hopi Tribe will need $230,000 in road and bridge work. The Navajo Nation also is estimated to need $93,240 in road and bridge work, plus another $193,463 in buildings and equipment.

Navajo Nation Vice President Frank Dayish Jr. wrote a letter to the White House Feb. 17 in support of Gov. Napolitano's request that a major disaster be declared for Arizona,. He said that a state of emergency was declared Jan. 7 for the Navajo Nation.

Dayish spoke with Jennifer Farley, Intergovernmental Affairs deputy associate director to President Bush, on Feb. 18 regarding the continuing emergency situation.

"The immediate impacts from the recent severe winter storms, followed up with above average precipitation, were impassable dirt roads, which stranded many families in their homes until the dirt roads become passable," Dayish stated in his letter to Bush.

"This not only hindered such families in maintaining their own food supplies, but also hindered them in maintaining food supplies for their livestock. Also, with impassable dirt roads, children who live in these remote areas missed school."

The Arizona governor executed a State Emergency Response and Recovery Plan on Dec. 29, activating the State Emergency Operations Center. She also declared a State of Emergency for Coconino County that same day, followed by amendments on Dec. 30 to include Yavapai County; on Jan. 4 to include Gila and Navajo counties, and on Jan. 11 to include Apache, Maricopa and Mohave counties.

Gov. Napolitano also issued a Declaration of Emergency Feb. 16 for Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pinal and Yavapai counties and the town of Wickenburg due to rainfall and subsequent flooding.

She also directed that $200,000 from the general fund be made available to the director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management for disaster response, and also authorized the Adjutant General to mobilize the Arizona National Guard in whole or part as needed to assist in the relief effort.