Arkansas Approved for Additional Disaster Aid
Release Date: February 21, 2008
Release Number: 1744-021
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Two additional Arkansas counties, Marion and Union, have been approved to receive federal disaster aid for individuals and families impacted by the Feb. 5 severe storms and tornadoes, state and federal disaster officials have announced.
The additional federal assistance is the result of a recent amendment to President Bush's Feb. 7 declaration of a major disaster.
Marion and Union counties have joined eight other counties already eligible to receive Individual Assistance: Baxter, Conway, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren.
Individuals can register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those who are hearing or speech-impaired. You can also register online at www.fema.gov. FEMA operators are available 7 a.m. to midnight CST seven days a week, until further notice.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance program can help eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance; uninsured personal property; medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster; and other serious unmet needs. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
Also, under the recent amendment to the major disaster declaration, Marion and Newton counties became eligible to receive FEMA Public Assistance. This community recovery program helps state and local government agencies as well as eligible private, non-profit organizations with the cost of tornado-related debris removal, emergency protective measures and repair or replacement of community infrastructure.
Repair or replacement of community infrastructure includes such projects as repairing damaged roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, utility distribution systems, power generation facilities and distribution lines, and publicly owned parks and recreational facilities.
Union County, now approved for Individual Assistance, had previously been approved to receive Public Assistance to help with the cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures.
All work eligible for grants under FEMA's Public Assistance program must be within the designated counties and a direct result of damage caused by the Feb. 5 tornadoes. The federal share of the assistance is 75 percent of the eligible cost; state and local governments typically share the remainder.
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: Monday, 25-Feb-2008 08:48:24