President Declares Major Disaster for Arkansas 

Release Date: September 18, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-222

» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms and Flooding associated with Hurricane Gustav

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Arkansas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding associated with Hurricane Gustav during the period of September 2-8, 2008.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush.  The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding associated with Hurricane Gustav in the counties of Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Conway, Dallas, Drew, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Lincoln, Montgomery, Perry, Prairie, Saline, and Van Buren.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.

Paulison named Kenneth M. Riley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Riley said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.

The agency said business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice.

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 terror. 

Last Modified: Friday, 19-Sep-2008 08:17:19