Maricopa County chairman says Tempe state of emergency declared after East Valley storms

At a Maricopa County meeting, Chairman Thomas Galvin said last week he declared a state of emergency in Tempe to allow federal funds and resources to be provided to residents affected by recent storms in the East Valley.

Galvin said, "Last week, I declared a state of emergency in Tempe so that federal funds and resources could be provided to those who need it." The announcement provided no additional details in the meeting transcript about the declaration's scope, duration or any follow-up steps.

The transcript records Galvin linking the declaration to a series of severe storms that recently hit the East Valley. It does not include any recorded motion, vote or formal board action tied to the declaration. The chair also offered other brief announcements during the same meeting, including recognition of Darla Barfield as this year's Tom Mannos outstanding service award winner and praise for County Manager Jen Pekorski for a recent accolade from the Arizona Capital Times.

County and federal procedures for emergency declarations vary; the transcript does not specify which federal programs or funds the declaration is intended to access or whether Tempe or Maricopa County staff had made related requests. No timeline or reporting requirements for the declaration are included in the available remarks.

The meeting segment was brief and focused on announcements. Additional official records or later agenda items would be needed to confirm formal board actions, the precise legal basis for the declaration, and any planned use of federal or state assistance.