Queen Creek, Arizona — Governor Katie Hobbs and a group of bipartisan state and local leaders condemned the federal government's decision to deny Arizona's appeal for a major disaster declaration tied to severe flooding in two rural counties last year.
The September 25-27, 2025 storms caused loss of life and widespread damage to homes, businesses, roads, bridges, and public infrastructure across Gila and Mohave counties and nearby Tribal communities. FEMA informed the state on July 2, 2026 that the President had denied Governor Hobbs's January 16 appeal, upholding an earlier finding that the impacts did not meet the threshold for a major disaster declaration. The denial covers Public Assistance for the two counties and statewide hazard-mitigation aid.
Hobbs said the final denial is a "devastating blow" to families, small businesses, and local governments still rebuilding, and that three lives were lost in the floods. The Governor noted her administration worked for six months alongside members of the state's congressional delegation and local leaders to pursue the funding.
The denial closes the federal appeal process, but the state says it will keep working with local leaders, Tribal communities, nonprofit partners, and Arizona's congressional delegation — including Congressman Greg Stanton and Congressman Eli Crane — to find other resources for long-term recovery. Officials pointed to Small Business Administration disaster loans, Natural Resources Conservation Service grants, and Federal Highway Administration emergency relief as partial supports that do not replace a major disaster declaration.
