San Juan County officials are urging the president to approve a major disaster declaration after historic flooding caused millions in damages and left hundreds of properties destroyed.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. —
San Juan County is seeking federal disaster assistance after historic flooding caused millions of dollars in damages and left hundreds of properties destroyed.
Homes were destroyed, and roadways washed away as record-breaking floodwaters swept through the area. The river in Farmington surpassed a flood record set in 1911, while water levels near Shiprock reached 21 feet.
The county is facing an estimated $8 million in losses, and officials say more help is urgently needed.
“We have citizens that have nothing. They’ve lost everything, and our community is hurting. And our community really needs to have this disaster declaration approved,” Mike Stark, San Juan County Manager, said.
According to reports, 833 properties were impacted by the flooding, including 308 with major damage and 71 that were destroyed. While an earlier federal emergency declaration was approved, county leaders are still waiting for the president to approve a major disaster declaration. This approval could provide financial assistance for flood victims and help repair damaged public infrastructure.
Although FEMA representatives have been on the ground assessing damage, county officials emphasized that financial aid has not yet been distributed.
“Obviously, if we don’t get the individual assistance, folks won’t be able to recover,” Stark said.
In the meantime, county commissioners are taking steps to assist residents in rebuilding. They have waived building permit fees for qualifying flood repairs through the end of 2027, and a state-funded debris removal program is already underway.
With recovery expected to take up to two years, county leaders say federal assistance could significantly impact how quickly the community can rebuild.
Residents are being asked to separate flood-damaged materials into different piles at the curb for collection, including construction debris, appliances, and yard waste.