Severe flooding struck parts of New Mexico last week, leaving Gallup without power and water and inundating the Zuni Pueblo. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded by allocating $500,000 for emergency response. As recovery efforts continue, a local business has also launched a donation drive to help affected families.
According to KOAT Action News, Lujan Grisham signed an executive order allocating half a million dollars for flood response efforts. The funding will help provide sandbags, communications equipment, and National Guard support to affected communities.
“I’ve signed executive orders freeing up $500,000 to support flood response across the state. That means sandbags, communications equipment, and National Guard support for the local, county, and tribal responders working around the clock,” the governor said in a social media post.
State officials urge residents to take preventive steps to protect their homes from severe flooding.
“When you are expecting floodwaters to approach your home, the first thing you need to do is seal off all doors and any entry points, air vents, ingress windows, and such where water can penetrate into the home,” Mike Dulin with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said.
Experts recommend sealing all doors with a tarp or plastic sheeting and securing it with tape.
Residents should then place sandbags at the base of the door, stacking them two bags wide and two bags high.
Donation Drive for Flood Victims
Pueblo Collective transformed its Christmas in July sale into something more meaningful, according to a separate report by KOAT Action News.
The local business turned its Bernalillo event into a donation drive supporting families affected by the recent Zuni Pueblo flooding.
One of its artists, Philana Booqua, said floodwaters severely damaged her home on Zuni Pueblo. The flooding also damaged many homes in her neighborhood.
“We are collecting donations of food, clothing, whatever you can bring,” Booqua said. “A lot of items are needed.”
Pueblo Collective plans to begin a series of relief trips to Zuni Pueblo on Monday to deliver donated items. Anyone who wants to help can drop off donations at Pueblo Collective, 925 South Camino Del Pueblo in Bernalillo.
