New Mexico appeals federal denial of additional disaster assistance 

New Mexico appeals federal denial of additional disaster assistance 

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is appealing the federal government’s denial of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program after severe storms, flooding, and landslides devastated communities across the state this summer  

Federal mitigation assistance after major disasters substantially reduces the risk of future damage, saving taxpayer dollars in the long-term. Since 2020, DHSEM has received over $119 million in potential mitigation project applications from communities in New Mexico but has been awarded only $19.7 million, leading to potential reductions in funding due to the appearance of a significant amount of unused funds. Long wait times for federal grant approvals hinders the state’s ability to protect New Mexicans from future disaster-related damages and loss of life.  

“In recent years, the State has endured catastrophic wildfires, post-fire flooding and debris flows, extreme drought, and high-wind events,” wrote DHSEM State Director Ali Rye in the appeal letter to FEMA. “The cascading impacts of these disasters do not occur in isolation: one hazard almost invariably sets the conditions for the next.”    

The federal government denied Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding after reducing previous awards and discontinuing the Building Resilient Communities and Infrastructure Program (BRIC), which delivered millions of dollars to communities across the state to strengthen infrastructure against future disasters. 

While the state awaits a response to the appeal letter from FEMA, DHSEM continues to work with disaster-affected communities to identify additional programs to support the recovery process.