Rep. Crane Hosts FEMA in Gila County as Updated Major Disaster Declaration Request Is Considered

On Thursday, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) hosted Gregg Phillips, the Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, in Globe to meet with local officials regarding last September’s devastating flooding. Since the disaster, communities across Gila County have faced widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Last fall, the state of Arizona requested assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. In the state’s initial assessment, officials only listed approximately $33 million in damages. This did not accurately reflect the true extent of the damage in these areas, and the request was denied in December. Immediately following the decision, Rep. Crane helped lead efforts to strengthen the appeal to more accurately reflect damages and detail the uniqueness of rural Arizona. Local officials explained that time constraints contributed to the report falling short of providing the full scope of the devastation. With additional storms approaching, they had to choose between filling sandbags or concentrating solely on the submission. After the denial, officials conducted a comprehensive secondary assessment that placed total damages at more than $100 million, significantly strengthening Arizona’s case for reconsideration. In Washington, D.C., Rep. Crane met with FEMA personnel to outline the urgent need for federal assistance and to extend an invitation for leadership to visit Gila County. With large swaths of Gila County owned by the federal government, the limited tax base places enormous strain on local recovery efforts. Additionally, years of federal land mismanagement have contributed to wildfire burn scars that continue to heighten flood risks. After the meeting, FEMA personnel traveled to Globe to meet with local leaders, impacted residents, and those who prepared the data for the appeal. Rep. Crane is grateful for the administration’s attention to the situation and is also appreciative of Associate Administrator Phillips’ engagement on the ground. While securing FEMA assistance remains the top priority, Rep. Crane is pursuing every available avenue to support the recovery. This includes coordinating with the Small Business Administration on its low-interest disaster loan programs and reviewing potential resources through the Department of Agriculture and the Federal Highway Administration. He also spoke with Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, about the importance of this appeal. “I was honored to host Associate Administrator Phillips in Gila County to speak with local officials and those impacted by the devastating flooding. With last week’s visit, we were able to address questions about the original request and make the case for the appeal,” said Rep. Crane . “We believe the updated report more accurately represents the scale of the damage, and we were able to make a direct case for the uniqueness of rural Arizona. I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Associate Administrator Phillips for their leadership and for making this visit possible.”