WASHINGTON, DC – March 6, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the Navajo Nation, releasing federal funds to help the tribe in the aftermath of a devastating freeze in December and January. More than 3,000 homes on the Navajo Nation lost running water because of pipes that froze or broke during consecutive weeks of below-zero nighttime temperatures.
According to a news report from Indian Country Today, the broken pipes “drained millions of gallons from water tanks, depleting pressure system-wide in some cases and threatening the closure of some essential facilities, including a hospital in Fort Defiance, Arizona. The disaster struck far and wide across the Navajo Nation, from Tuba City, Arizona and southern Utah’s Navajo Mountain in the west to Window Rock and Crownpoint, New Mexico in the east.”
Below is the fact sheet FEMA issued with today’s declaration:
Navajo Nation
Federal Disaster Declaration Fact Sheet
March 5, 2013
On March 5, 2013, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the Navajo Nation, triggering the release of Federal funds to help the Tribe recover from the Severe Freeze that occurred December 15, 2012 to January 21, 2013. Details of the disaster declaration and assistance programs are as follows:
Declaration Number: FEMA-4104-DR
Incident: Severe Freeze
Incident Period: December 15, 2012 to January 21, 2013
Federal Coordinating Officer: Mark Neveau, National FCO Program
Public Assistance (PA): (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities):
PA-Designated Lands: The Navajo Nation and associated lands for emergency protective measures and utilities (Categories B and F) under the Public Assistance program.
Hazard Mitigation (HM): (Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards):
HM-Designated Lands: The Navajo Nation is eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
