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State to lead appeal after FEMA denies federal disaster declaration; Gila County to supply documentation
Summary
After FEMA denied a federal disaster declaration for September flooding, state emergency officials will lead an appeal using aggregated damage figures; Gila County emergency management reported local documented damage and will provide supporting documentation.
Gila County emergency management told supervisors on Jan. 6 that FEMA denied the county’s federal disaster declaration request for September flood events and that the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (DEMA) and the governor’s office will lead an appeal.
Michael O'Driscoll, who presented the update, said the state will draft the appeal letter and rely on Gila County to supply documentation showing local impacts and vulnerability. "The state plans to highlight its record of supporting disaster incidents and will leverage social vulnerability data to demonstrate significant unmet needs in both Gila and Mohave counties," he said.
O'Driscoll told the board that county staff have documented approximately $30 million in local damage; DEMA aggregated and increased the statewide damage estimate to roughly $100 million for the appeal package to FEMA. County emergency management and public works staff will continue to assemble documentation and meet with state officials as the appeal proceeds.
Supervisors expressed support for the appeal and appreciation for the state stepping in to lead the federal appeal process, while noting that the county has borne substantial response costs. Manager Menlo said Gila County staff have offered to host ADOT outreach events in the county after staff identified Gila as not yet scheduled for a statewide ADOT listening tour.
DEMA-led appeals can take weeks; county officials said they will provide records, cost reports and supporting documentation to the state and follow any steps DEMA requests to strengthen the appeal.
