Trump declares disaster on Acoma Pueblo

ACOMA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) – President Donald Trump has issued a disaster declaration for a New Mexico Native American community that is recovering from the effects of severe weather and flooding.

The declaration announced Thursday by the White House frees up federal money to help the Acoma Pueblo recover from damage to roads, bridges and sewer lines. The flooding also caused debris and wreckage to pile up, creating treacherous driving conditions along a 10-mile (16-kilometer) stretch, isolating part of the pueblo's lands.

The state's congressional delegation had urged the president to act earlier this month. They said the conditions affected members throughout the rural community, including those looking to gather firewood to heat their homes and ranchers who wanted to ensure their cattle had feed.

The pueblo is west of Albuquerque.