Following the recent catastrophic flooding that wreaked havoc in Gila County, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued an Administrative disaster declaration to aid the beleaguered region. This comes after Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) submitted a request for federal assistance. The declaration is designed to rapidly mobilize support for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and residents severely impacted by the natural disaster, which swept through the area between September 25 and September 27.
"I'm grateful for the swift response from the Small Business Administration as we work to rebuild in Gila County," Governor Katie Hobbs said in a statement, highlighting her commitment to help the community in its hour of need. Per information obtained by the Office of the Arizona Governor, Hobbs intends to continue to teams up closely with local leadership, federal agencies, and Tribal groups to ensure the recovery is robust and sustainable.
The Director of DEMA's Division of Emergency Management, Gabe Lavine, also expressed his gratitude for the federal support in a statement. "DEMA has been working with local leaders and emergency managers around the clock to support emergency response and recovery efforts," Lavine mentioned, stressing the crucial nature of federal partnership according to the Office of the Arizona Governor. The SBA's approval is seen as a significant step towards the rehabilitation of areas like Globe and Miami, as well as other impacted localities.
This administrative backing comes in the wake of Governor Hobbs's recent visit to Gila County on October 4 to survey the damage and the ongoing recovery efforts. The Governor and Director Lavine had quickly sent out a request to SBA Acting Director Eric Shaw that same day, aligning with the state's broader mobilization of resources to respond to the flooding crisis. More details on the state's emergency response can be found via links provided by the Office of the Governor, as well as resources and information for residents of Gila County seeking to volunteer or donate to the recovery efforts.
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