How disaster declarations work

When disaster strikes — like the late-September floods that hit Globe, Miami, and surrounding communities — there’s a specific chain of actions that must happen before federal disaster funds or loans are unlocked.

In the case of the Gila County flood, here’s how that process unfolded:

Step 1: Local Emergency Declarations

Initiated by the City of Globe and Town of Miami

The first official step always begins at the local level.
After the September 26 flood, both the City of Globe and the Town of Miami issued local emergency declarations under Arizona Revised Statutes § 26-311.

This allows them to:

• Mobilize local emergency resources (police, fire, public works, volunteers).

• Activate emergency operations centers.

• Access local contingency funds.

• Request mutual aid or state assistance.

These declarations also establish that a disaster exceeds local capacity, which is essential to trigger higher-level aid.

Example: Globe Mayor Al Gameros issued an emergency declaration that weekend, citing widespread flood damage to businesses and homes along Broad Street and Jesse Hayes Road.

Step 2: County Emergency Declaration

Filed by Gila County Board of Supervisors

Once multiple jurisdictions (like Globe and Miami) are impacted, the County must also declare an emergency — in this case, the Gila County Board of Supervisors did so within days of the storm.

The county’s declaration formally recognizes that:

• The event’s scope is beyond the capability of local municipalities to manage.

• County-wide resources are being used (Emergency Management, Roads, Health, etc.).

• Assistance is being requested from the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

This declaration also opens the door for damage assessments and coordination with state agencies such as ADOT, DES, and ADWR.

Step 3: State Emergency Declaration

Signed by Governor Katie Hobbs

After reviewing impact data and local declarations, Governor Hobbs issued a State of Emergency for Gila County (and potentially surrounding areas).

This action:

• Authorizes the use of state emergency funds.

• Deploys state assets and personnel (including Arizona Department of Emergency & Military Affairs).

• Initiates the State Individual and Public Damage Assessment process.

• Formally notifies federal agencies that Arizona may request federal assistance.

At this point, the State begins compiling damage assessment reports — detailing the number of homes, businesses, public facilities, and infrastructure damaged or destroyed, along with economic impacts.

Step 4: Damage Assessment & Request for Federal Support

Joint local–state–federal assessment

Working with Gila County Emergency Management and local municipalities, the State of Arizona’s emergency management office gathers the verified loss data required to make the case for federal aid.

If the total verified damage is significant — but does not meet the higher threshold for a full FEMA Presidential Disaster Declaration — the State can request a Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration instead.

This option is typically used when:

• The primary damage is to homes and small businesses (not major public infrastructure).

• The scale is regional, but not catastrophic statewide.

In early October, Arizona submitted that formal request to the SBA on behalf of Gila County.

Step 5: SBA Disaster Declaration Approved

Federal activation of low-interest loans

On October 10, 2025, the SBA approved the disaster declaration for Gila County.

This declaration makes available:

• Low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and nonprofits.

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for revenue loss due to business interruption.

• Assistance for both Gila County and contiguous counties (Graham, Pinal, Maricopa, Navajo).

The SBA then opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Globe at the Chamber of Commerce to help residents apply.

Step 6: Federal Coordination and Recovery Period

Once the declaration is active:

• Local and county governments remain the front line for cleanup, debris removal, and local coordination.

• The State Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor recovery and channel state funds where eligible.

• SBA administers the loan programs directly — separate from FEMA — until the recovery phase stabilizes.

If future damage assessments reveal wider-scale destruction of public infrastructure, the State could still escalate the request to FEMA for a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which would add grants and public infrastructure aid to the mix.