Governor to consider bill to help Ruidoso wildfire, flood victims; federal officials approve additional funding

July 15 — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will consider a relief bill for areas affected by the South Fork and Salt fires and subsequent flooding, Jodi McGinnis Porter, deputy communications director, told the Journal.

Porter said the bill would be a loan fund administered by the Department of Finance and Administration that would finance and begin construction of shovel-ready public infrastructure projects, such as roads and water treatment facilities.

Eligible entities, including local governments, can borrow from the fund for projects approved by FEMA public assistance, and the state will be reimbursed once the work is completed, she said.

On Monday, FEMA approved more than $2.4 million for homeowners and renters facing properties damaged by the South Fork and Salt River fires and floods, the village of Ruidoso announced.

According to the village, 2,221 New Mexicans have applied for federal disaster assistance. “But we know there are more people who need help, and we want to find them,” the village said in a statement.

To help, people are encouraged to pass on FEMA application information to those who may need help and to “encourage those you know who have suffered damage to apply,” the village said.

The Biden administration on Friday authorized an amendment to the statewide major disaster declaration, providing additional disaster assistance in response to wildfires and flooding, governor’s office spokesman Michael Coleman said.

He said that under the administration’s major disaster declaration for the state on June 20, federal funds have been made available to help residents and businesses. State assistance, including for debris removal, has also been provided to Lincoln and Otero counties, including the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

The amendment adds federal public assistance funding for permanent work on roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and their contents, public utilities and parks, recreational facilities and others, Coleman said.

The program provides assistance to individuals, households and businesses, as well as government assistance to repair damaged facilities and other emergency work, he said.

Additional designations may be made if requested by the state and if justified by the results of ongoing damage assessments, Coleman said.

He said people affected by the South Fork and Salt fires and flooding can seek FEMA assistance by:

Visit a Disaster Recovery and Resource Center Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Facilities are located at the Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, and the Mescalero Apache School, 249 White Mountain Dr., Mescalero. Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Call the FEMA application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-462-7585). Calls are accepted daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Time.

The village of Ruidoso said residents eager to return home should be aware of potential hazards such as downed power lines, gas lines and other exterior damage.

“Additionally, turn off main power and water systems until you or a professional can ensure they are safe, and never turn power on or off or use any electrical tool or appliance while in the water,” the village said.

Residents will also need to prepare for rains that are expected to hit the region in the coming days.

Jennifer Shoemake, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said there is a 60 to 80 percent chance of rain Wednesday through Sunday. Some of the rain could be heavy and cause flash flooding.

The Journal’s Megan Gleason contributed to this story.