(The Center Square) – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs issued a state of emergency in La Paz County after a fire caused the Oxbow Bridge to collapse into the Colorado River.
The governor’s decision made on Tuesday allows state funds and resources to be used to support disaster relief. Arizona is taking $200,000 from its general fund and giving it to the state Division of Emergency Management.
One of the main things the funds will be used for is protecting the environment and preventing bridge debris from flowing downstream.
Additionally, the State Emergency Operation Center has been upgraded to Level 2 to assist with emergency response partners and spot further needs.
La Paz County residents used this bridge to travel to California. It takes an estimated hour to get from this county to the Golden State.
A press release from Hobbs noted the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is working with local, state, federal and tribal agencies to recognize discrepancies in community needs services, crucial business and government operations.
“The collapse of the Oxbow Bridge is a devastating blow to the La Paz County community,” Hobbs explained. “Protecting the health and safety of Arizonans is my top priority, and the State of Arizona stands ready to support those impacted by this horrible event.”
The Oxbow Bridge collapsed on Aug. 1. This bridge is used as a critical crossing point for the Colorado River for emergency services, which have been “severely affected” by the closure, the governor’s emergency declaration says.
Last week, the La Paz County Board of Supervisors approved its own emergency declaration. Its declaration said the bridge’s collapse caused an immediate “threat to public health and safety” while restricting “access between Arizona and California.”
Besides the public health and safety threat, the declaration said local transportation routes have suffered “severe disruption,” minimized emergency vehicle access and posed risks to environmental resources.
The La Paz County emergency declaration said the cost to replace the bridge and clean up the debris would require help from state and federal authorities.
The Center Square contacted Hobbs’ office to see how long she plans to use state emergency powers, but her office did not reply before press time.
