Helpline Provides Same Information As Disaster Recovery Centers 

Release Date: April 26, 2006
Release Number: 1636-010

» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms and Tornadoes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Answers to disaster-related questions are just a phone call away, officials from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) reminded the public today.

After undergoing the storms and tornadoes of April 1st to the 3rd , many of t he disaster assistance applicants in Conway, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph and White counties may not know where to turn for answers. Helping people throughout the entire recovery process continues to be a FEMA priority.

Presently, fixed and mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are operating from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the affected area, staffed by personnel from FEMA, ADEM and the Small Business Administration (SBA) . Program specialists are there to answer questions and provide information about the various assistance programs available to individuals and business owners, as well as assist applicants who wish to check or update their application status and information.

Although speaking face to face to a disaster program specialist may be reassuring, the same information is also available by picking up the phone and calling the FEMA Helpline . And there is only one phone number to remember: the same number that serves as the FEMA registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1‑800‑462‑7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired, also gets the caller to the FEMA Helpline. These phone lines are available 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m ., until further notice.

FEMA encourages all registered disaster victims to make use of the extended FEMA Helpline hours. By keeping in contact with FEMA through the Helpline, disaster assistance applicants can ensure the disaster assistance process for aid flows smoothly.

Those affected by the storms and tornadoes in Conway, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph and White counties may call FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) , or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired, to register for federal and state disaster assistance for losses between April 1 st and 3 rd . Both numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily . An application can also be filed online, 24 hours a day , at the Online Individual Assistance Center.

Last Modified: Thursday, 27-Apr-2006 09:45:38