Recovery Efforts Continue for South Fork and Salt Fires and Flooding: Key Updates and Resources for Affected Residents
As the community continues to recover from the devastation caused by the South Fork and Salt Fires and subsequent flooding, residents who lost access to essential services such as water due to damaged private wells or septic systems may be eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Homeowners can receive compensation for the cost of a professional, licensed technician to estimate repairs or replacement of these vital systems, as well as for the actual repair or replacement costs themselves, which are often not covered by standard insurance policies.
Key Actions for Homeowners
Residents who have already applied for FEMA assistance but have not yet had a home inspection are urged to contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. During the visit, it's crucial to inform the FEMA inspector if your private well or septic system was damaged by the fires or flooding that began on June 17. Eligibility for assistance will be determined based on whether the damage was caused by the disaster.
You can still appeal if you’ve already undergone an inspection but didn’t report the damage to your well or septic system. Call the FEMA Helpline to learn about the appeals process and what documentation will be required. Keep all statements, estimates, or receipts from contractors regarding disaster-related damage to these systems, and include them in your appeal letter. Refer to the eligibility letter from FEMA for additional details.
FEMA Workshops Extended
For those starting the daunting task of repairing their homes or those unsure where to begin, FEMA has teamed up with Village Ace Hardware in Ruidoso to provide free information and tips on making homes stronger and safer. Due to high demand, these workshops have been extended through August 24. Residents can visit the experts at 2815 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, NM, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Saturday. Experts from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will also be available to answer questions about flood insurance.
Recovery by the Numbers
$5.6 Million in Assistance: To date, FEMA has approved more than $5.6 million in Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance for homeowners and renters affected by the fires and flooding.
2,796 Applications: Nearly 2,800 New Mexicans have registered for FEMA assistance.
2,150 Visits to Recovery Centers: Over 2,150 individuals have visited Disaster Recovery Centers for support.
$8.72 Million in SBA Loans: The Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $8.72 million in low-interest disaster loans to help with long-term recovery.
Additional Resources
Residents impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding are encouraged to utilize the following resources:
South Fork & Salt Fire Local Information Hub: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire
New Mexico Dept of Homeland Security & Emergency Management: www.dhsem.nm.gov/nmwildfires/
Full-Service Debris Removal - NMDHSEM: https://www.dhsem.nm.gov/nmwildfires/debris/
HELP New Mexico: https://helpnm.com/
New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department: https://www.cyfd.nm.gov/
New Mexico Crisis & Access Line: 855-NMCRISIS (662-7474), https://nmcrisisline.com/
Important Deadlines and Notices
FEMA Assistance Deadline Extended: Homeowners and renters who suffered damage due to the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding now have until October 19, 2024, to apply for federal disaster assistance from FEMA.
Direct Temporary Housing Assistance: Lincoln County residents who have applied for FEMA assistance are not required to fill out additional applications to access Direct Temporary Housing Assistance.
For more information on these and other updates, visit fema.gov/disaster/4795. Stay informed by following FEMA Region 6 on social media platforms such as X.com (formerly Twitter) at @FEMARegion6 and Facebook at facebook.com/femaregion6.
If you need assistance in another language or have civil rights-related concerns, FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448, with multilingual operators available.
As recovery efforts continue, FEMA and local authorities remain committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help residents rebuild their lives and communities.
