Feb. 5 Storm Aid Tops $12.7 Million
Release Date: April 10, 2008
Release Number: 1744-062
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- More than $12.7 million in state and federal assistance has been issued to help Arkansans recover from tornadoes and severe storms that struck Feb. 5, state and federal disaster-recovery officials said today.
"We are pleased to see that more than 1,700 residents registered for assistance," said State Coordinating Officer Richard Griffin of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM).
"Our goal is to help Arkansans recover as quickly as possible," said Federal Coordinating Officer Ken Riley of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Following is a summary of state and federal disaster relief efforts through close of business April 8 reported by officials of ADEM, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- The SBA has approved more than $7.3 million in low-interest disaster loans to Arkansas residents and businesses. The SBA provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes that suffered damage from the Feb. 5 severe storms and tornadoes.
- 1,748 individuals and households from the designated counties have applied for disaster aid.
- $2.9 million in Housing Assistance has been approved to cover rental assistance, temporary lodging and housing repair and replacement assistance.
- $851,000 in Other Needs Assistance has been approved to cover personal property loss, medical costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
- 2,464 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have been made by people affected by the disaster to meet with recovery experts.
- 1,027 home inspections have been completed.
- Public Assistance grants totaling more than $1.66 million have been obligated to date in response to 43 Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) from public entities (counties; cities; and private, non-profit organizations that provide essential public services).
- 56 applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) have been received and initial funding of $13,800 has been requested by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS). The Arkansas DUA program, funded by the FEMA and administered by DWS, provides benefits from $128 to a maximum of $400 a week for up to 26 weeks for individuals unemployed as a direct result of the disaster.
If they have questions regarding their applications, Arkansans who live in Baxter, Conway, Izard, Marion, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union and Van Buren counties and suffered damage during February's storms should call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for persons with special speech or hearing needs. Information about applications can also be found online at any time at www.fema.gov. April 8 was the final day to register.
FEMA coordinates the Federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terrorism.
Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Apr-2008 09:46:43