Arizona’s Governor declared a State of Emergency in response to record flooding caused by Hurricane Odile in Cochise County. Between September 17 and 19, 2014, powerful rains combined with the remnants of Hurricane Odile to cause record precipitation (up to 6 inches of rain) and flooding in Cochise County. The storm damaged public infrastructure, impacted residences, and necessitated the rescue of stranded citizens.
Governor Brewer is authorized under A.R.S. § 26-303(D) to declare a state of emergency, which can be used to reimburse eligible emergency response and recovery costs. The funds cannot be used to reimburse home or business owners for flood damages. The declaration does direct the following actions:
a. Declares that a State of Emergency exists in Cochise County due to flooding, effective September 17-19, 2014; and
b. Directs that the sum of $200,000 from the General Fund be made available to the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management; and
c. Directs that the State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan be used to direct and control state and other assets and authorize the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to coordinate state assets; and
d. Authorizes the Adjutant General to mobilize and call to activate all or such part of the Arizona National Guard as is determined necessary to assist in the protection of life and property throughout the State.
Following the September 17 floods, the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) and Cochise County performed joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) to evaluate the scope and severity of the damage. The PDAs validated $1.2 million in public infrastructure damages in Cochise County.