Three Weeks’ Later, Federal Assistance Tops $1 Million for Arkansas Recovery

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Three weeks after a federal disaster declaration made assistance available, more than $1 million in aid is helping the residents of nine Arkansas counties recover from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding, May 7 to June 15, 2015.

To date, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, 151 persons have been approved for disaster assistance (as of 7 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2015).

That assistance includes $710,750 in housing aid to help homeowners and renters:

  • Rent temporary housing for a limited period of time;
  • Repair damage from the disaster to a homeowner’s primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the home safe, sanitary and functional; and,
  • Help replace homes destroyed in the disaster.

The assistance also includes $68,053 to help pay for:

  • Disaster-related medical and dental costs;
  • Disaster-related funeral and burial costs;
  • Clothing, household items, tools required for work and necessary educational materials;
  • Clean-up items;
  • Disaster-damaged vehicles;
  • Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster; and,
  • Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.

Also, $313,800 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;

Residents of nine Arkansas counties may be eligible for disaster assistance. Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA by the Aug. 25, 2015 deadline.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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.

 

 

 

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Three Weeks’ Later, Federal Assistance Tops $1 Million for Arkansas Recovery

FEMA Officials: Don’t Wait for Insurance Settlement to Seek Disaster Aid

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas residents living in any of the nine counties declared a federal disaster area do not have to wait for an insurance settlement to register for disaster aid for damage from the severe spring storms.

“Arkansans may find they are underinsured or that their policies do not cover temporary housing while repairing or rebuilding their homes,” said Nancy M. Casper, the federal coordinating officer with FEMA. “Don’t wait for an insurance settlement before registering with FEMA — you could miss out on disaster aid you may be eligible for.”

Residents of Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance.

Many of those with damage from the storms have already filed claims for damage through their insurance.  Recovery officials urge homeowners and renters to register for FEMA disaster assistance as well, even while waiting on an insurance settlement.

Once registered, applicants who expect their insurance policy to cover storm-related loss and damages are mailed a “Request for Information.” The letter details additional information to support the applicant’s need for federal disaster assistance. Applications are reviewed as part of the verification process by FEMA to avoid duplicating insurance payments.

“Don’t forget to call FEMA to update your application after you have settled with your insurance company,” said Casper. “Even if you are insured, your policy may not cover everything. Updating FEMA with insurance information could mean you are eligible for additional assistance funds.”

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

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.

 

 

 

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FEMA Officials: Don’t Wait for Insurance Settlement to Seek Disaster Aid

FEMA Experts Offer Ideas to Lessen Impact of Disaster Damage

NORTH LITTLE ROCK –Teams of specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will offer tips and techniques to lessen the impact of disaster-related property damage at building supply stores in four Arkansas locations beginning Monday, July 13, 2015.

The teams will be at these Lowe’s stores:

  • Jefferson County: The Pines, 2906A E. Harding Ave., Pine Bluff
  • Crawford County: 2120 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren
  • Garland County: 300 Cornerstone Blvd., Hot Springs

Teams at the Lowe’s stores will be at each store from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday; and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  The teams will not be at the store

In Howard County, FEMA specialists will be at the Bailey Discount Bldg. Supply, 880 E. Collin Raye Drive in DeQueen.  Teams will be at the store from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and on Fridays and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The teams will be at all four locations through Friday, July 24, 2015.

FEMA specialists offer “how-to” information on both retrofitting buildings to make them more resistant to wind damage and ways to elevate utilities against  flood damage. They also provide tips to clean and help prevent mold and mildew.

Many of the tips and techniques are specifically geared for the do-it-yourselfer and for building contractors. If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access materials such as Braille, large print or ASL interpeters, please let our representatives know.

FEMA offers a number of free online resources for home and property owners. To get started, go to

www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

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 hazard

Excerpt from: 

FEMA Experts Offer Ideas to Lessen Impact of Disaster Damage

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

July 8, 2015

DR-4226-AR

FEMA News Desk: 501-399-4075

State Public Affairs: 501-683-6700

publicaffairs@ADEM.arkansas.gov

SBA: William Koontz 916-847-2346

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

 

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – The residents of nine Arkansas counties included in a federal disaster declaration may see FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams in their communities, offering a personal link to the resources for recovery.

Using the latest mobile technology, DSA team members are there to help survivors register for disaster assistance; provide up-to-date information on applications; help determine ongoing needs; and make referrals to help fill any outstanding needs.

The DSA teams are there in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and local officials from the communities they visit. DSA team members carry FEMA photo IDs. If the photo ID is not displayed, ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

The DSA teams may request the following information:

•    A phone number where you can be reached;

•    Your social security number;

•    Your current mailing address;

•    The address of the affected property;

•    A brief description of the damages; and

•    Insurance information including your policy number.

DSA teams will visit Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties.  Residents in those counties who suffered damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 7 to June 15, 2015 may be eligible for disaster assistance.

Registering for assistance with FEMA is an important first step toward recovering.  Registration is available online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 (FEMA) or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Reasonable accomodations, including assistive technologies, may be available by calling the 800 number, or by making a request with a DSA team member.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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.

 

 

 

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Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Visit Arkansas Communities

Storm Survivors Can Register for Assistance Online 24/7; No Change to Holiday Hours for Phone Lines

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Residents of nine Arkansas counties included in a federal disaster declaration can register for assistance anytime online. Recovery officials also announced phone lines will maintain regular hours during the July 4 holiday weekend.

Those affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding May 7 to June 15, 2015 in Crawford, Garland, Howard, Jefferson, Little River, Miller, Perry, Sebastian, and Sevier counties may be eligible for assistance.

Individuals and business owners can register online, 24/7 at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device, tablet or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.”

FEMA’s toll-free telephone line, 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA), will remain open through the holiday, with no change in hours.  The lines are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

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.

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Storm Survivors Can Register for Assistance Online 24/7; No Change to Holiday Hours for Phone Lines

Storm Survivors Have 30 Days to Register for FEMA Individual Assistance

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Residents of Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White counties who suffered damages as a result of the flooding, severe storms and tornadoes of April 27 have until June 30 to register for state/federal Individual Assistance.

Disaster assistance can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. So far, about 1,340 Arkansans have registered for assistance, and more than $2.4 million in assistance has been approved, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Survivors can continue to register for FEMA assistance online until June 30 at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Additionally, two Disaster Recovery Centers, in Mayflower and Vilonia, remain open to serve survivors. They are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Saturday.

Disaster Recovery Center Locations:

600 Hwy 365

Mayflower, AR 72106

 

1122 Main Street

Vilonia, AR 72173

Disaster Recovery Centers gather different state and federal agencies and programs under one roof, offering survivors convenient access to guidance from a number of resources. Representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available at both centers to provide information and answer questions about SBA low-interest disaster assistance loans to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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.  Follow us on Twitter athttps://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov. For information on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger, visit fema.gov/ar-disaster-mitigation.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

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Storm Survivors Have 30 Days to Register for FEMA Individual Assistance

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