RSS FeedCIBOLA COUNTY - Two to four feet of snow has dropped in western Cibola County during the last several weeks, causing life to be challenging for residents in receiving the basic necessities in life.
  
|
Ellsworth said that the snow has put a big strain on the close-knit community in the southwestern portion of the county. “Cabin fever, or hogan fever,” he added, “is a major issue.”
Cibola County Commission Chairman Eddie Michael declared the western half of Cibola County, including the Ramah Chapter, under a state of disaster last week. “Food, water and medical supplies are inaccessible to many citizens and . . . there has been undue human suffering and hardship that threatens the safety, health and welfare of Cibola County citizens,” the declaration stated. The declaration will allow the release of any necessary emergency powers for expending local resources, and for requesting aid, assistance, relief programs and funding that may be available from the state.
As of Friday, no major injuries had been reported.
“This is just the beginning,” Ellsworth said. “We can expect more snow and wait until all of this starts melting.” An alert team has been fully functional for more than two weeks at the Ramah chapter, headquartered at Mountain View.
According to Ellsworth, the domestic systems are okay. “We just need food, water, fuel, hay for the livestock and wood to burn . . . the basics,” he said. Nineteen windmills in the area are frozen. The only running water, as of Friday, was at the chapter house. In some areas, there are four to five feet snowdrifts.
“We are constantly making deliveries to high-risk areas,” said Ellsworth. “We've depleted the Navajo Nation allocation funds we had ($15,117).”
The Navajo Nation declared the area an emergency on Jan. 22. “Despite being declared we have received no funds. I think we will be getting $9,000 and that will go fast.”
The nearby school at Pine Hill was closed Monday through Thursday and reopened on Friday.
“We are waiting for the governor to declare it an emergency area and that will release some funds,” said a tired Ellsworth. Representatives from the state level visited western Cibola County on Sunday with Commissioner Michael.
The county has already offered assistance. On Friday, the sheriff and staff members delivered two truckloads of bottled water. “The county is responding now, delivering food and water,” Ellsworth said. He is expecting the recent snow to affect the area for nearly five months.
A letter from Ramah Navajo Chapter President Rodger Martinez was prepared on Jan. 25 requesting donations from the nearby communities. To donate to the Ramah Navajo Chapter Storm Relief Fund, call Jeanette Quintero at 1-505-775-7106. A donation is tax deductible. To contact the Chapter House, call 1-505-775-7130 or 7132.
Comments
Hears whats up . . wrote on Feb 10, 2010 7:16 PM:
The county MUST have determined enough damage in order to declare a disaster. After the declaration, the County can submit a request to the governor for a state declaration which releases the above mentioned state emergency funds.
There are federal guidelines as to what can be considered as part of a disaster declaration, and what the fund released can be used for.
Now my curiosity rises when I read the Beacon story and see that there is nothing pertaining to the "new" County Emergency Manager performing duties in relation to this disaster. All I see is photo ops. for politicos. Where was the Emergency Manager? Where is he now? What was his contribution? What is it now? Snow is still in the forecasts??
Now. . .As far as the Navajo Nation helping out there New Mexico bothers, no big surprise to the WELL INFORMED and KNOWLEDGEABLE; the Navajo Nation Government filters VERY little funds to the New Mexico chapters. The State of New Mexico is guilty of the same act. It is only media involvement that they get help. This is not just the Navajo Nation by any means.
Some counties get the "dirty end of the stick" as well.
Government is government, they focus on the "ME" factor. Media makes it a "Poor you, now focus on ME" situation.
Granted the southern part of the county is snowed in and very muddy, but so is a number of us all. Unlike us though, they haul their water.
I hope they get help, no matter who provides it. "
GHS90 wrote on Feb 10, 2010 10:44 AM:
gary trujillo wrote on Feb 4, 2010 12:05 PM:
juaquin wrote on Feb 3, 2010 6:14 PM:
Gary Trujillo wrote on Feb 3, 2010 1:36 PM: