Dear Friend,

I visited Roswell this week following historic flash flooding in Chaves County. I am devastated by the destruction. 

I walked through the mud that destroyed people’s homes and cars, Roswell businesses, and the artwork in its famous museum. I heard stories of families stranded on tops of trucks, hanging on to trees, and watching in horror from the convention rooftop.

But I also heard stories of neighbors saving each other from danger. We saw the local high school football team showing up to help their community clean out the ruined remains of what was once a home. That’s what New Mexico is all about.

Resources

If you or your loved ones were affected by the floods in Chaves County, please be sure to document your losses. Documentation will be crucial for insurance claims and any federal assistance that may become available. Take pictures of the damage BEFORE you clean and repair.

• Roswell Shelter at Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds (2500 SE Main St).
• The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has opened a hotline for Chaves County residents to ask questions and learn about resources. Residents can call 1-833-663-4736. The hotline will be available 24/7 until further notice.
• The city transit department is currently offering FREE bus rides along routes for the next few days. 
• Some postal services may experience temporary interruptions. Please click here to learn about impacted offices.
• Dial 211 for the Chaves County Help Line.

Next Steps

I will push to have a federal disaster declared as quickly as possible after the State sends in its request. The federal government must mobilize resources to help families and businesses recover. 

It was irresponsible for Speaker Johnson to strip the additional FEMA funding House Democrats and the Biden-Harris administration requested in the temporary government funding bill passed in September. 

As natural disasters like this continue to intensify, Speaker Johnson must act quickly to make sure FEMA and the Small Business Administration have the funding they need to help families and businesses across the country.

Finally, I want to send a big thank you to our brave first responders, local officials, and volunteer personnel for their tireless work.