Declaration provides new resources to support recovery from Memorial Day storms
Santa Fe, NM – Earlier today, Governor Lujan Grisham signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for the City of Roswell. This declaration follows similar orders for Lincoln and Chaves counties, which the Governor signed on Wednesday. Collectively, these orders aim to provide county and local officials with the tools and funding they need to begin recovering from the severe flooding that began over the Memorial Day weekend.
Like the declarations for Lincoln and Chaves counties, this executive order activates the National Guard for necessary responses, establishes a statewide emergency response that spans all state agencies, and provides $750,000 for DHSEM to support local recovery efforts,
“The City of Roswell appreciates the state’s Declaration of a State of Emergency as a result of the exceptional Memorial Day weekend storm,” said Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh. “These emergency funds will help our community move forward more quickly with the relief needed to help the city’s residents impacted by this flooding. While the full extent of the damage is not yet known, the City of Roswell welcomes the support and assistance from our State of New Mexico partners. Repairing and rebuilding will be a team effort with the City, Chaves County, and State of New Mexico working together.”
“The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will continue to work closely with all local, state, and federal partners to help Southeastern New Mexico recover from this ongoing disaster,” said DHSEM Secretary Bianca Ortiz-Wertheim. “With this latest executive order, our department can help coordinate the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure, reinforce emergency protective measures, and support local recovery projects.”
In this instance, the state constitution does not allow state emergency funds to be used for direct financial assistance to private individuals. However, several volunteer and non-profit relief groups have been aiding Chaves County residents since this disaster began. These resources are included below, though capacity depends on the number of volunteers and other factors.
- Roswell Community Disaster Relief Services: for drinking water, food, and help with clean-up, pumping water, and minor livestock rescue → (575-208-4055 or Facebook.com/RCDRservices)
- Roswell Salvation Army: for food assistance, including a hot meal delivery program if needed, vouchers for thrift stores upon a referral from the Red Cross, and assistance with a one-night stay at a local economy hotel if people must leave their home while water dries → (575-622-8700)
- The American Red Cross of New Mexico: volunteers will assess damages to home interiors and determine if the damages meet the required threshold for financial assistance through the Red Cross → (505-265-8514)
- The God Inspired Gathering: for clean-up assistance, focusing on seniors and people with disabilities → (575-208-1467)
For sand, sandbags, and other flood prevention tools, residents can contact Karen Sanders at 575-624-6740. To assist with clean-up, Chaves County has also placed dumpsters at various locations around the county. These locations are available at Facebook.com/RoswellChavesCountyOfficeOfEmergencyManagement/
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DHSEM works to protect the people of New Mexico and the nation through a comprehensive and coordinated program of mitigating hazards, preparing for emergencies, preventing attacks, and recovering from disasters.