On Thursday, Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) hosted Gregg Phillips, Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, in Globe, Arizona. The visit focused on the severe flooding that struck Gila County last September and the ongoing request for a major disaster declaration.
The initial damage assessment submitted by Arizona officials estimated about $33 million in losses. This figure was considered insufficient to capture the full impact of the disaster, leading to a denial of federal assistance in December. Local officials cited time constraints during the first assessment due to immediate storm threats. Afterward, a more comprehensive evaluation raised the estimated damages to over $100 million.
Rep. Crane met with FEMA staff in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the need for federal support and inviting agency leadership to see conditions firsthand in Gila County. He highlighted challenges faced by rural communities with large areas under federal ownership and noted that past federal land management practices have increased flood risks through wildfire burn scars.
During their visit to Globe, FEMA representatives met with local leaders and residents affected by the flooding. Rep. Crane expressed appreciation for FEMA’s engagement: “I was honored to host Associate Administrator Phillips in Gila County to speak with local officials and those impacted by the devastating flooding. With last week’s visit, we were able to address questions about the original request and make the case for the appeal,” said Rep. Crane. “We believe the updated report more accurately represents the scale of the damage, and we were able to make a direct case for the uniqueness of rural Arizona. I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Associate Administrator Phillips for their leadership and for making this visit possible.”
Rep. Crane is also working with other agencies such as the Small Business Administration on disaster loan programs and reviewing additional support options from both the Department of Agriculture and Federal Highway Administration.
Eli Crane has represented Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District since 2023 after succeeding Tom O’Halleran; he was born in Tucson in 1980 and resides in Oro Valley.
