Governor Brewer issues emergency declaration in support of Greenlee County

Heavy rain resulted in flooding, erosion and debris flows, damaging Blue River Road

PHOENIX – Heavy rain resulted in flooding, erosion and debris flows, damaging Blue River RoadGovernor Jan Brewer today signed a Declaration of Emergency in support of Greenlee County’s efforts to recover from post-fire flooding.

Under the Governor’s emergency declaration, she has authorized that $200,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund be released to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to assist Greenlee County. The funding will be available for emergency and permanent repairs of infrastructure damaged due to recent flooding.

On August 24, 2011, a powerful monsoon storm passed over areas of northern Greenlee County that were severely burned by the Wallow Fire. The heavy rain resulted in significant flooding, erosion and debris flows that damaged Blue River Road, a primary transportation route for area residents and emergency response vehicles.

Access to the area remains limited, and damage to the road worsens with each subsequent storm.  The flooding has undermined protective measures that were in place prior to the storm, and will require major construction to repair them to their pre-disaster condition.

Greenlee County officials have declared an emergency as a result of the flooding and the current state of Blue River Road. The post-fire flood damage exceeds the response and recovery capabilities of the County; consequently, the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors has requested state assistance.

Visit the Arizona Emergency Information Network website, www.AzEIN.gov, for emergency updates, preparedness and hazard information, and multimedia resources.