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Arizona towns fight for federal disaster funding after deadly flooding

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Arizona towns fight for federal disaster funding after deadly flooding


MIAMI, AZ — Late last week, officials with Arizona’s Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were back in Gila County, meeting with state and local leaders to reassess damage created by deadly flooding in September and October last year.

Late last year, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs ‘ office announced that FEMA had denied their request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which would have provided critical funding for the towns of Miami, Globe, and the rest of Gila County.

Globe Mayor Al Gameros told ABC15 they’ve estimated their damage to be around $96 million, with Miami leaders telling ABC15 the damage is about $56 million.

If FEMA approves funding for towns, the percentage of the overall cost that is owed by each town is reduced substantially, critical for towns with smaller populations.

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Nick covered the initial round of flooding in late September 2025 and returned to Globe in late October to get an update on the recovery there.

Late last week, ABC15 returned to Gila County – this time to Miami – to see how leaders there were rebounding, nearly four months after the flooding that killed three people.

“We had some floods here, but it wasn’t anything like that,” explains Miami Mayor Gil Madrid, who was also born and raised in the small Gila County mining town.

“It was unbelievable. Unbelievable. And sad to see what was going on.”

It’s damage the Mayor says totals about $56 million, but as of right now, FEMA isn’t helping cover any of it.

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In December 2025, FEMA officials sent the state a letter, denying their request for a major disaster declaration, saying in part, “this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments.”

“How could they not stand with us in that disaster?” questioned Mayor Madrid.

So the Town of Miami sent its own appeal to FEMA, citing not just the flooding events in September and October last year, but also another major natural disaster – The Telegraph Fire in 2021, which burned more than 180,000 acres, creating larges areas of erosion on the Pinal Mountains, that helped send flood water, tree limbs, and other debris down the mountains, and into areas like downtown Globe and Miami.

ABC15 surveyed the area of Mackey Camp Road and saw several areas covered in dirt and sand that had accumulated in the nearly five years since the fire.

For Miami Town Manager Alexis Rivera, who reached out directly to ABC15 after seeing his follow-up series in Globe, not having that funding from FEMA means money from other critical departments and resources will have to wait for key projects to begin, things like new work trucks, new police vehicles, and infrastructure improvements.

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“We are going to keep fighting,” says Rivera.

ABC15 reached back out to FEMA late last week and received this statement:

FEMA has received the State of Arizona’s appeal related to the September 25–27, 2025 severe storms and flooding. The appeal is currently under review in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA has sent staff to Arizona to join state and local representatives to validate new information contained in the State’s appeal.  There is no timeline for appeal determinations, as each request is evaluated based on the specific circumstances.





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Former Arizona State OL Max Iheanachor Talks transition to NFL

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Former Arizona State OL Max Iheanachor Talks transition to NFL


TEMPE — Former Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor took part in the school’s Pro Day on Friday in anticipation for the NFL Draft – which is being held from April 23-25.

The three-year Sun Devil spoke with media after the day concluded – discussing what the next month will entail for him, his journey into becoming a standout NFL prospect, and much more.

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Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

To watch the full media availability, view below.

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Iheanachor Reveals Upcoming NFL Visits

The general consensus over the last week or two has been that Iheanachor would be more of a second round pick compared to the previous first-round notion, although revelations on Friday may refute that belief.

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The talented right tackle revealed that he is set to have top-30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens – among other franchises – in the month leading into the draft.

Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) and offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) in action during the game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Arizona State Sun Devils at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Those aren’t the only potential destinations for the rapidly rising prospect, as Iheanachor has previously been linked with the San Fransisco 49ers and Detroit Lions as well. There appears to be a common theme amongst interested parties – as all of the franchises either have an aging tackle that carries an uncertain future, or has an open vacancy at right tackle at this moment.

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The New England Patriots have an interest in Iheanachor that is a poorly kept secret in their own right – this was on full display when head coach Mike Vrabel worked extensively with the former JUCO player, even after group drills were finished. The Patriots own the number 31 pick in the first round.

Iheanachor’s Journey Nothing Short of Incredible

Iheanachor didn’t begin playing football until 2021, when he began his career playing at the junior college level. He eventually committed to play for Arizona State ahead of Kenny Dillingham’s first season in 2023. There were certainly questions surrounding his viability in making a transition from a lower level into the power four, but that was short-lived.

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The raw prospect grew considerably as the season went on, eventually seeing real playing time later in the season. He returned in 2024 as a definitive starter and was obviously one of the most improved players on the entire roster on a year-to-year basis. He then returned in 2025 and was the best player/prospect on the entire offensive line, with figures such as taking part in 484 pass protection snaps without ceding a sack confirming the elite nature of his season.

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Sep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) in action against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images



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Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers live updates. Arizona DH back in the lineup

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Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers live updates. Arizona DH back in the lineup


LOS ANGELES — After tests on his sore elbow revealed no structural damage, Pavin Smith took batting practice and was declared ready to return to the Diamondbacks’ lineup.

Smith, who was a late scratch on Opening Day, was a late addition on Day 2. He will bat fifth and serve as the designated hitter, sending Tim Tawa to the bench.

Smith is a relatively important member of the Diamondbacks lineup as a potential impact hitter against right-handed pitching. Last year, he hit .265/.361/.456 with eight homers against righties in 226 at-bats.

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Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34

Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.39)* vs. Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (6-3, 2.82)*.

At Dodger Stadium: Nelson opened last season in the bullpen but moved into the rotation full time after RHP Corbin Burnes went down with elbow surgery. He was impressive from that point on, putting up a 3.38 ERA across 20 starts from June 1 onward. … Nelson faced the Dodgers three times (two starts) last season, giving up four runs in 13 innings with one walk and 12 strikeouts. … Nelson has solid career numbers against most Dodgers hitters, including 3B Max Muncy, who is 0 for 8 with three walks and five strikeouts. … Sheehan, 26, a sixth-round pick out of Boston College in 2021, returned from Tommy John surgery last year and performed well, logging a 2.82 ERA in 73 1/3 innings. He also logged important innings for the Dodgers out of the bullpen in the postseason. … Sheehan has never faced the Diamondbacks. … Last season, he averaged 95.6 mph with his four-seam fastball. He also threw a slider and change-up with the occasional curveball.

Coming up

Saturday, March 28: At Los Angeles, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-9, 5.02)* vs. Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.19)*.

Sunday, March 29: Off.

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Monday, March 30: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (3-8, 4.52)* vs. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (4-11, 3.85)*.

Tuesday, March 31: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (13-9, 5.25)* vs. Tigers RHP Casey Mize (14-6, 3.87)*.

* — stats from 2025.

(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)

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Make-A-Wish Arizona creates sea turtle adventure for San Tan Valley boy

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Make-A-Wish Arizona creates sea turtle adventure for San Tan Valley boy


Boats, beaches, and buckets of fun! Just the way you’d expect a boy to spend his Florida vacation!

But there was something else 11-year-old Miles Boyd got to do last year when he and his family traveled to Florida. It was a sea turtle adventure that truly became the trip of a lifetime.

“I had never been to the ocean before,” explained Miles. “So see that just wowed me. It was amazing!”

Miles and his family also got to see baby sea turtles on the beach at night.

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“The ocean is so mysterious,” says Miles. “It’s such a big place, and the fact that these turtles can move but are so tiny and when they go in the ocean, they get to hundreds of pounds.”

In so many ways, the trip to Palm Beach County, Florida, was a dream vacation for Miles and his family, but it only came after what was a living nightmare.

“I couldn’t imagine losing him,” says Miles’ mom, Natasha.

It was the harsh reality that Natasha had to face after learning her son Miles had a cancerous brain tumor.

“The world just stopped,” Natasha says about the moment she found out the devastating news. “I just sat on the floor and cried.”

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Even Miles admits he was scared.

“I’m just a kid, you know what I mean?” he says. “It’s a lot to handle all at once.”

After three brain surgeries, countless hours of therapy and rehab, and having to take a chemo medication twice daily, Miles proved to the world he is a true survivor!

And his trip to Florida, through Make-A-Wish Arizona, proved to be the medication he never knew he needed.

Miles explains that the trip motivated him to keep going.

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“It showed me that I made it to this car, and I can keep going,” he says. “I started at the lowest of lows, and now, I’m on a beach – it just gave me confidence and motivated me that I could keep going.”

Last year alone, Make-A-Wish Arizona granted 476 wishes; they’ve also fulfilled more than 8,500 since being founded in 1980.

Across the Globe, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 650,000 wishes since 1980

Miles and Nick Ciletti will co-host Make-A-Wish Arizona’s Wish Ball on Saturday! To learn more about Make-A-Wish Arizona, click here.





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