March 6 Deadline to Request Public Assistance Funding for Severe Storm Damage

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — State and local officials, county agencies and certain private nonprofit organizations in 32 Arkansas counties have only a few days remaining to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for federal funds to support the recovery from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding and tornadoes, Dec. 26 – Jan. 22, 2016.

The deadline to submit the one-page RPA is Sunday, March 6, 2016.

The counties eligible for PA are: Benton, Boone, Bradley, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Crawford, Dallas, Drew, Franklin, Greene, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Montgomery, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Washington, White, Woodruff, and Yell.

Representatives from the Arkansas Emergency Management Agency, with support from FEMA, held detailed briefings for officials of governmental organizations, local officials and private non-profit organizations throughout the disaster areas to address application procedures, administrative requirements, funding and program eligibility.

Public officials and other eligible applicants who were unable to attend the briefings and want to file an RPA can download the RPA form at ADEM/PA/Applicant Packet. They may also call ADEM at (501) 683-6700 and ask to speak to the Recovery Branch.

Once a RPA is received it is processed by the state and a FEMA public assistance officer is assigned to work in partnership with the applicant to provide comprehensive information, explanations and technical assistance.

The public assistance officer focuses on the eligibility and documentation requirements that are most pertinent to an applicant. The FEMA project officer and the applicant then work together to prepare subgrant applications.

Eligible costs include debris removal, emergency protective measures (such as police, fire and medical), road and bridge repair, and repair and restoration of public buildings, utilities and recreational facilities.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.