Udall, Heinrich, Pearce Announce $2.3 Million for Eddy County Roads Damaged by September 2014 Storms, Flooding

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Steve Pearce announced more than $2.3 million for Eddy County for hazard mitigation and repairs to four chip and seal roadways and low water crossings that were damaged by severe storms and flooding caused by Hurricane Odile in September 2014.

"Heavy rain and flash flooding from Hurricane Odile caused severe damage in communities throughout New Mexico, and I'm pleased that this additional recovery funding will help Eddy County continue to repair impacted roads and bridges," Udall said. "Families and hard-working New Mexicans rely on Eddy County's roads every day to get to school and work, and support their businesses, farms, and the oil and gas industry. These repairs will help restore and reinforce Eddy County's roads and support economic development in the region."

"Extreme flooding and severe weather conditions from Hurricane Odile damaged several roads and critical infrastructure across Eddy County," Heinrich said. "The local economy depends on the oil and gas industry, WIPP, farming, and potash mining, which all require functional roads to operate. This much-needed federal assistance will help restore our communities and businesses, and is a critical step toward the recovery effort."

"The damage sustained by Eddy County roads because of Hurricane Odile has been a strain on the local economy," Pearce said. "I am pleased to see the Federal government honoring its commitment to provide disaster relief. As with Ruidoso last week, this assistance is vital for Eddy County to continue repairing its roads and bridges."

The $2,382,358 grant is being awarded to Eddy County by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Udall, Heinrich and Pearce supported the state's request for a major disaster declaration and disaster recovery assistance following the severe storms and flooding. In December, Udall and Heinrich announced more than $63 million for Eddy County to conduct road repairs. The storms and flooding impacted areas throughout the state, though Eddy County sustained the highest countywide per capita damage.