Udall, Heinrich, Pearce Announce $2.4 Million for Hurricane Dolly Recovery in Ruidoso

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Steve Pearce announced that the Village of Ruidoso is receiving $2,461,922 to repair sewer pipes damaged by storms and flooding from Hurricane Dolly in July and August 2008. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding will cover 75 percent of the cost to repair the pipes.

"The community of Ruidoso is still feeling the effects of the severe damage caused when the Rio Ruidoso overflowed during storms from Hurricane Dolly, and I'm pleased that we've secured FEMA funding for further repairs to the village's sewer system," Udall said. "Since the flooding, the people of Ruidoso have worked hard to recover and rebuild, and this funding will help finish the repairs that are left to do. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'll continue to fight for funding to strengthen our state's infrastructure, and to work to ensure federal assistance is available for our communities to rebuild when disaster strikes."

“The impact of Hurricane Dolly is still being felt by the Ruidoso community as they continue to recover from this severe natural disaster," Heinrich said. "This investment will build on that progress by supporting the effort to repair the village’s sewage system along the Rio Ruidoso. I will continue working to ensure federal recovery investments are available to New Mexico when natural disasters strike.”

"When disaster hits, we quickly realize the value of the most basic necessities," Pearce said. "The federal government has a responsibility to assist our communities when they go through their darkest hours and toughest times. I am pleased that FEMA was able to step in so that the community of Ruidoso has access to clean and safe sanitation systems."  

In April, Udall, Heinrich and Pearce announced an additional $1.5 million in disaster funding for the Village of Ruidoso to replace a bridge that was also severely damaged by flooding from Hurricane Dolly.