FEMA to assess flood damage in Santa Fe

Federal Emergency Management Agency teams will arrive in Santa Fe early next week to begin flood damage assessments, the city said in a news release.

State and city personnel will assist the assessment teams in documenting damage to homes and businesses, with the potential for the state to use the information to request a major disaster declaration, which would open up federal assistance programs.

“Having FEMA’s resources will allow us to bring more help to more people much faster,” Mayor Alan Webber said in a statement.

Dozens of homes sustained “major” damage in Monday’s floods, with at least six classified by city inspectors as “likely beyond repair.”

City officials on Friday afternoon repeated their call for city homeowners to request and schedule a damage assessment at 505-955-6949. Residents can also call the line to schedule a free city pickup of flood-damaged debris.

Representatives of the Small Business Association will join the FEMA crews, the city said in a news release, asking business owners who experienced flood damage to call the number and file a report.

David Silver, the city’s emergency management director, said the information compiled in the assessments would guide FEMA crews.

“FEMA’s teams will expand our capacity to assess damages in homes and businesses and help us gather the information we need to advocate for additional resources and funding for Santa Feans,” Silver said.

The city will also open a walk-in “multi-agency resource center” at the Genoveva Chavez Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The American Red Cross and other groups will be on hand to assist with “debris removal, house cleanup, spiritual care, housing resources” and more, according to a city release.