President Declares Major Disaster For Arkansas
Release Date: February 7, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-018
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Arkansas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on February 5, 2008, and continuing.
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 in Baxter, Conway, Independence, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union, and Van Buren counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.
Paulison named Philip E. Parr as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Parr said that aerial damage surveys have just begun and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are completed.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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, 08-Feb-2008 07:56:48