Brewer frees funds to help northern Arizona counties damages by cold

Gov. Jan Brewer (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Michael Schennum)

Gov. Jan Brewer has issued a declaration of emergency for parts of northern Arizona damaged by recent frigid temperatures.

The unusually cold temperatures froze pipes and caused water shortages that affected the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation and parts of Apache, Coconino and Navajo counties.

Since mid-January, parts of northern Arizona have experienced extreme sub-freezing temperatures caused by an arctic air mass.

Authorities say record or near record-low temperatures have resulted in significant damage to potable water infrastructure in the area.

Brewer’s emergency declaration releases an initial $200,000 from the General Fund to help out the affected counties and reservations.

The Arizona State Forestry Division on Tuesday sent two 3,000-gallon potable water tenders to the Navajo Nation with plans to provide further assistance.