ICYMI: Gallego Visits Globe-Miami After Devastating Flooding

ARIZONA - Yesterday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) visited the towns of Globe and Miami to survey the damage of historic flooding that killed three people in Arizona last week. While there, he heard directly from impacted residents and small business owners, and thanked first responders and volunteers supporting the ongoing recovery efforts.

See coverage below:

Arizona's Family (Phoenix, AZ):

Gallego: "We can't have something like this happen again. We now know what the problem is. We - when I say we, the federal government, local government, state government, and to some degree local businesses - need to come together and come up with an actual, real infrastructure plan."

Reporter: "Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego touring the flood damage just yesterday. With a government shutdown, we asked if that would delay federal emergency assistance to the home and business owners. Gallego says not likely. Damage assessments have to be completed first. So, it'll be at least a month or two before those claims are submitted for reimbursement."

Local News Live (National):

Reporter: "Senator Ruben Gallego in Globe today amid a government shutdown. […]

A lot of people are wondering if federal funds could be distributed to the Globe-Miami area after such catastrophic funding. Does the government shutdown affect that at all?"

Gallego: "No, because unfortunately, they have to go through the process of basically figuring out how much damage there is. That's going to take about 30 to 60 days."

KTAR (Phoenix, AZ):

Reporter: "Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego visited the Arizona community ravaged by flooding last week."

Reporter: "The city of Globe is still rebuilding after massive floods came through the area from those heavy rains last Friday. Senator Gallego is hoping the federal government shutdown will not impact residents seeking aid."

Gallego: "Because right now what they need to do is first take a full inventory, and usually it takes a couple of weeks for then FEMA to respond. There isn't any effect on the government shutdown. The most important thing they want to do is make sure they're taking full stock [of] what happened."

Reporter: "There's also been concerns from locals that efforts could have been made to prevent the flooding, which Gallego says he will look into."

Gallego: "They're not wrong. I want to see what could have been done or should have been done, and if it's not, then what can we do going into the future."

In Print

KJZZ: Sen. Gallego says shutdown won't affect federal disaster relief for Globe flooding

[Wayne Schutsky, 10/2/25]

After visiting Globe and Miami, Sen. Ruben Gallego said the government shutdown will not affect the flow of federal relief dollars into the communities as they recover from devastating flash floods. […]

After a visit to the area, Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, credited local citizens and officials for leading the cleanup effort with help from state and federal emergency response teams.

"These towns are very resilient, so they've gone through a lot," he said. "You could tell that neighbors are helping neighbors, and now the question is like, 'how can we help them recover?'"

He said the next step in the recovery process will rely on federal emergency funds to help the affected communities rebuild, and he said the ongoing shutdown won't affect how quickly federal resources get to the community. […]

"Of course, as I told them, as soon as I know they submitted any requests for support from FEMA, from the federal government, then I'll be, you know, watching like a hawk to make sure that things move," Gallego said.

Arizona Republic: Sen. Gallego says he wants to see infrastructure investment in Globe-Miami after flood

[Ray Stern, 10/2/25]

The Globe-Miami area should receive federal help for significant flood-control upgrades to avoid another catastrophic flood, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego said after visiting the area on Oct. 2.

The area's waterways need to be deepened and dredged, along with other improvements that have been needed for "years," he said after his tour of the area and listening to local officials.

"We need to make sure that we make a long-term infrastructure investment in that area," Gallego said. "If you don't, I think there's going to be less and less businesses that are going to want to invest in the kind of flood plain that was just created, because why would you if you know you're going to be potentially washed out." […]

Gallego said seeing the homes and businesses still damaged and hearing the stories of people who survived the flood "made a big, big mark on me."

At the same time, "it was heartwarming to meet the neighbors, meet the City Council members, the community leaders that are all kind of coming together and trying to rebuild and move on."

Conecta Arizona: Tras inundaciones en el norte de Arizona, líderes llaman a infraestructura y acción climática mientras Gallego visita el área afectada

[Paula Diaz, 10/2/25]

Este jueves, el senador Rubén Gallego visitó las áreas afectadas, incluyendo la ciudad de Globe, donde visitó negocios para hablar con líderes locales y residentes sobre la emergencia y los pasos necesarios para prevenir que tragedias similares se repitan.

"Primero, quiero expresar mi solidaridad y condolencias a todas las familias afectadas. Nadie espera ver algo así. Estamos con ustedes y nuestras oraciones los acompañan", dijo el senador durante su visita. Así mismo, destacó que, aunque la rapidez y valentía de los vecinos evitó más pérdidas humanas, es urgente planificar mejor la infraestructura local.

"El gobierno federal, estatal, local y también los negocios deben unirse para crear un plan de infraestructura real. Si no, estas inundaciones catastróficas van a repetirse", agregó Gallego.

12 News: Arizona senator visits Globe after historic flooding

[Kyra O'Connor, 10/2/25]

Senator Ruben Gallego traveled to Globe and to Miami, two areas hit by torrential rainfall and flooding that killed three people last week.

Globe Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton, Councilman Mike Pastor and other city officials met with Gallego for a briefing at City Hall before walking the flood-damaged areas. […]

Additionally, Gallego stopped to speak with business owners of La Casita Café-which has been in business in Globe for 78 years-as well as meeting with wildland firefighters and other first responders working on cleanup efforts, the news release said.

Gallego also visited Miami, the mining town that was also hit by flash flooding.

KYMA: Senator Gallego visits Arizona towns after flooding

[Marcos Icahuate, 10/2/25]

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) visited two Arizona cities Thursday to survey damages following a flooding.

Senator Gallego visited Globe and Miami to hear how residents and business owners were impacted.

He also thanked first responders and volunteers for their efforts.

Arizona's Family: Globe-Miami community begins rebuilding, waiting for federal funds after deadly flooding

[Sarah Robinson, 10/2/25]

It's been a week since raging floodwaters tore through the Globe-Miami area, leaving parts of the community under six feet of water. Three people were killed in the flooding, which also destroyed homes, businesses, and schools. […]

U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, who visited the area Thursday, said federal funds will still available despite the shutdown, but the process will take time.

10/3/25