Federal Aid Programs for Arkansas Disaster Recovery
Release Date: February 7, 2008
Release Number: HQ 08-018Factsheet
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's major disaster declaration issued for Arkansas.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- Reimbursement of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, including actions undertaken through direct federal assistance. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
- Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
Direct Federal Assistance:
FEMA will provide direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency - upon request of the state - when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. The duration of mission assignments for debris removal will be limited to 60 days from the disaster declaration date. The Federal Coordinating Officer may approve extensions for up to an additional 60 days, if a state or local government demonstrates a continued lack of capability to assume oversight of the debris removal mission. Additional extensions will require approval by the Disaster Assistance Directorate, Assistance Administrator at FEMA Headquarters.
- Debris Clearance and/or Removal: This is when FEMA directs another federal agency to accomplish debris clearance and/or removal. This work includes whatever clearance, pick up, hauling, processing and disposal activities FEMA authorizes.
- Food, Water, Ice and Other Consumable Commodities: This relates to a mission assignment task order approved for such commodities and the work necessary to distribute them, but not including installation or set-up, regardless of the work or project completion date.
- Other Emergency Protective Measures: Examples of these measures include: installation of generators, installation of large plastic sheet roofing, and shoring or demolition of unsafe structures.
The State shall agree in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-Federal share of the work including the overhead of the Federal agency assigned the task.
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: Thursday, 07-Feb-2008 20:28:44