Biden Declares Disaster in New Mexico After Floods

President Biden has designated southeast New Mexico a major disaster zone following devastating floods that claimed two lives and necessitated over 300 rescues last month. The declaration, announced on Friday, unlocks federal resources for residents of Chaves County. In Roswell, rainfall on October 19 reached 5.78 inches, surpassing the city’s previous record of 5.65 inches set in 1901.

Mayor Tim Jennings described the event as “a 500-year flood,” with the potential damages estimated at up to $500 million. The Roswell Museum has suffered at least $12 million in water damage, prompting the relocation of artworks for out-of-state restoration. The Biden administration outlined that federal aid will include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans for uninsured property losses, and additional measures to support local residents and businesses in their recovery efforts. (This story was generated by Newser’s AI chatbot. Source: the AP)