More Than Six Million Now Approved For Tornado Declaration 

Release Date: May 19, 2006
Release Number: 1636-019

» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms and Tornadoes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- More than $6,060,000 has been approved in disaster housing, other needs assistance and low-interest disaster loans for Arkansas residents in the seven declared counties, officials from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) announced today.

The funds have been approved for homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the storms and tornadoes that swept through areas of Arkansas in Conway, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph and White counties April 1 - 3. FEMA's Individuals & Households Program (IHP) and the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loan program have approved the following grants and loans:

Housing Assistance Program

Approved:

$566,830

Other Needs Assistance Program

Approved:

$374,980

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Approved:

$5,118,300

 

Total Approved:

$6,060,110

Total Inspections Completed

 

551

Average Inspection Turnaround

 

2 Days

Disaster Recovery Centers

Total Visits:

1,002

The IHP program provides assistance through two disaster assistance grants. The first provides temporary financial housing assistance with rental assistance or minimal home repair, or by providing the applicant with a mobile home set up on the homeowner's property. G rants for temporary rental assistance are available for both homeowners and renters. T he Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grant provides financial aid for damaged or destroyed items such as essential personal property, medical, dental, funeral expenses, transportation and other storm-related expenses.

"Federal and state disaster assistance approved to date will do much to get those affected by the early April storms and tornadoes back on the road to recovery," said Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell. "We will continue to assess storm and tornado damages and provide disaster assistance to qualified residents in the seven declared counties."

Before some individuals can be found qualified for ONA grants, the SBA forms must be returned. To get help completing the loan application, call the SBA at: 1-800-659-2955 (or TTY 1-817-267-4688 for the speech- and hearing-impaired), from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

To date, 986 residents have registered for disaster assistance in the seven declared counties:

Conway County: 96
Cross County: 110
Fulton County: 73
Greene County: 362
Lawrence County: 17
Randolph County: 232
White County: 96

"We are continuing our efforts to reach everyone affected and urge them to register for disaster assistance so they may receive the help they may be qualified for," said State Coordinating Officer Richard Griffin. "Homeowners, renters and business owners in the seven declared counties should apply as soon as possible to ensure their losses are considered for disaster assistance."

Those affected by the storms and tornadoes may call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), to register for federal and state disaster assistance for losses between April 1st and 3rd. The hearing- or speech-impaired may call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Both numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. An application can also be filed online, 24 hours a day, at www.fema.gov.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 19-May-2006 15:25:07