Disaster Relief Resources
We’re here to help.
NMCC is deeply saddened by the wildfires that have affected so many New Mexicans, and we extend our condolences to every family who has been displaced or impacted.
Below is a list of resources available to New Mexicans and businesses around the state affected by wildfires. We will continue adding to this list as more resources become available.
If you, your business, or someone you know have been impacted by the recent fires that have taken place, please use the resources below. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding available assistance, please let us know- we are here to help!
Donate:
Southern New Mexico Community Foundation and The Community Foundation of Lincoln County
Emergency Action Fund for New Mexico Fire Relief
Mescalero Apache Tribe’s Fire Relief
Salvation Army Southwest Division
Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce
Volunteer Coordination:
If you would like to volunteer with the cleanup efforts visit this page
Wildfires:
South Fork Fire/Salt Fire Information Hub
FEMA’s Wildfire Prevention & Preparedness Materials
Wildfire Preparedness Checklist
How to Stay Safe During a Wildfire
Returning Home After a Wildfire
FEMA Improving Individual and Community Wildfire Resilience Summit Resources
New Mexico Smoke from Fires and Your Health Toolkit
Flooding:
The Importance of Flood Insurance After Wildfires
Flood Risks Increase After Fires
Post-Wildfire Flood Insurance Information for Ruidoso Residents
Disaster Assistance Resources:
Individuals, households, and businesses who have been affected by the South Fork and Salt fires or flooding in Lincoln County, Otero County including the Mescalero Apache Tribe, San Juan County, and Rio Arriba County can apply for assistance from FEMA assistance in the following ways:
• Visit a Disaster Resource and Recovery Center Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
-Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso
-Mescalero Apache School, 249 White Mountain Dr., Mescalero
• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• Call the FEMA application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.
On Sunday, June 23, 2024, the state announced the launch of a Disaster Recovery Center in the Roswell Convention Center, which will be open from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM daily.
Serious Needs Assistance (SNA) provides funding for households to cover important items like water, food, first aid, breast-feeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, fuel for transportation or other emergency supplies for eligible households.
- To qualify for SNA, you must be displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to the disaster on your application.
Displacement Assistance (DA) provides people with up-front funds to assist with immediate housing options of their choice, to keep people housed. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options.
- Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance are both funded after a completed inspection confirms eligibility.
For those who cannot or do not wish to go to the Disaster Recovery Center, the following are resources available and how to get information or apply by calling the state’s 24/7 Fire Hotline at 1-833-663-4736 or visit dhsem.nm.gov/nmwildfires.
Those impacted by the recent wildfires can apply for free childcare by calling 1-800-832-1321. email questions to ECECD-ECS-AtRisk@state.nm.us
Business Disaster Preparedness
Ensuring you are prepared in the face of a natural disaster is key to mitigating negative impacts on your business.
Business Disaster Preparedness Toolkit
- Have critical lists of insurance providers, suppliers, customers and employee contact information on hand.
- Develop an employee-contact strategy, allowing you to ensure they’re safe amidst an evacuation.
- Maintain an off-site server to make sure financial records, inventories and other critical business infrastructure is preserved in the event a wildfire destroys hard drives or physical copies.
- Download the Small Business Administration and Red Cross apps to allow for direct access to emergency support.
- Take pictures of assets like inventory to show insurance companies later on.
- Look to apply for recovery loans from the SBA and other financial support on offer
Shelter:
Shelters are available at the following locations:
• The Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero
• Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Gym, 52 B University Blvd.
• Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 2500 SE Main St., Roswell
• New Mexico Military Institute Athletic Center, 101 W College Blvd., Roswell
• Church on the Move, 901 W. Brasher Rd., Roswell
• Church on the Move Dream Center, 2700 W. Second, Ruidoso
• Capitan High School, 519 Smokey Bear Blvd., Capitan
• Carrizozo High School, 800 D Ave., Carrizozo
• Christ Community Church, 2960 N Scenic Dr., Alamogordo
Evacuation of large animals/livestock:
- Capitan Fairgrounds: 101 5th Street, Capitan, NM 88316
- Mescalero Rodeo Grounds (livestock): Rodeo Grounds Rd, Mescalero, NM 88340
- Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds: 2500 SE Main St, Roswell, NM 88203, USA
- Lea County Fairgrounds: 101 S Commercial St, Lovington, NM 88260, USA
- ENM Fairgrounds, 2500 S.E. Main, in Roswell, and Lea County Fairgrounds, 101 S. Commercial Street, Lovington, are offering stable space and RV hookups. Contact Lea County Fairgrounds Director Wyatt Duncan at 575-333-0252.
- The New Mexico Military Institute, 101 W. College Blvd, and Roswell Civic Center, 912 N. Main Street, are accepting evacuees sheltering with leashed pets.
Support for Veterinarians and Animals Impacted by the Ruidoso Wildfires
Unemployment Information:
Those who are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe must follow the two steps below to file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA):
1. An individual must first apply for Standard Unemployment Insurance. This may be done online anytime 24/7 at https://www.jobs.state.nm.us, in person at any Workforce Connection Center, or by calling the Unemployment Insurance Operations center at 1-877-664-6984, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. Claimants filing their standard unemployment insurance claim online should be sure to check the box indicating that they have been affected by the fires.
2. After an individual receives notice that they are not eligible for Standard Unemployment Insurance, they may then apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by calling the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center or by coming in person to any New Mexico Workforce Connection Center. As a fraud prevention measure, DUA applications are only accepted in person or by phone.
Individuals who lost work or employment in the designated disaster areas must file DUA applications by August 19, 2024.
Who is eligible?:
- Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment; and
- Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits, or Extended Benefits (EB) from any state; and
- Fall into at least one of the following categories:
- Were unable to reach their job or self-employment location because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster; or
- Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster; or
- Cannot physically access the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, state, or local government in immediate response to the disaster; or
- Can establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their principal source of income; or
- Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster; or
- Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death related to the disaster/fire.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) updates and Standard Unemployment Insurance (UI) Information
Apply for UI Benefits Here or Call 1-877-664-6984 M-F 8:00AM-4:30 PM
View locations to file for DUA
Mental Health Resources:
- Agora Crisis Center Agora, based out of the University of New Mexico, is a place anyone can call when they need someone to listen. Call (505) 277-3013 or 866-HELP-1-NM (866-435-7166). Agora also offers online chat support.
- Crisis Center of Northern New Mexico For 24-hour crisis support, visit Crisis Center of Northern New Mexico or call 1-800-206-1656.
- New Mexico Crisis and Access Line Visit New Mexico Crisis and Access Line or call 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474).
- Disaster Distress Helpline The Disaster Distress Helpline provides year-round, 24/7 phone and text-based crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters. Those impacted by recent wildfires and experiencing distress can reach out for support. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 or “Hablanos” to 66746 for Spanish.
Needs Assistance:
The Health Care Authority and Medicaid Turquoise Care health plan representatives are here to help community members with:
- Replacement Medical insurance ID cards for Medicaid members,
- Replacement of SNAP EBT cards,
- Medicaid and SNAP enrollment,
- Peer-to-peer emotional and mental support for all people impacted by the fires,
- Other food and shelter needs
A free helpline is available at 866-447-3573 for resources and emotional support for emergency events.
Legal Assistance:
Get help with insurance claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and replacing lost documents