The "Town to Tough to Die" needs help with water supply infrastructure following post-fire flooding

Governor Brewer issues emergency declaration in support of City of Tombstone

Post-fire flooding, erosion damages water supply infrastructure

PHOENIX—Governor Jan Brewer has signed a Declaration of Emergency in support of the

City of Tombstone’s efforts to recover from recent post-fire flooding impacts to critical infrastructure.

After a large fire like this year’s Monument Fire in southeastern Arizona, flooding and debris flows become a cause for concern for those living downstream of the burn area. In the case of the City of Tombstone, summer monsoon storms led to flooding, erosion and mudslides that caused significant damage to the City’s primary source of water.

Tombstone draws 50 to 80 percent of its water supply from springs in the Monument Fire burn area. Erosion and debris flow caused by summer storms damaged the city’s aqueduct and water transmission system. Until repairs can be made, city residents are relying on backup water sources shared with neighboring jurisdictions.

City of Tombstone officials have signed a declaration noting that the damage exceeds municipal resources, and asking for state assistance.

Under the Governor’s emergency declaration, she has authorized that $50,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund be released to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to assist the City of Tombstone in covering engineering and temporary repair costs for the Tombstone water system. These funds are not available to repair individual homes.

City officials also intend to pursue funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program to underwrite permanent repairs to the aqueduct and water transmission system.