Eight Weeks Later: Tornado Recovery At 10.4 Million Dollars 

Application Period Ends June 11

Release Date: June 7, 2006
Release Number: 1636-022

» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms and Tornadoes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- More than $10,450,000 is on its way to qualified applicants in the seven Arkansas counties that received a federal disaster declaration on April 12, 2006. Individuals and business owners as well as governmental and qualified non-profit agencies in Conway, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph and White counties applied for damages and losses caused by tornadoes and storms that affected their areas from April 1st to April 3rd.

To date, 1,048 residents have applied for disaster assistance, according to officials from the Department of Homeland security's Federal emergency management agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). [A breakdown of applications by county is on page two]

Approved monies, through to the close of business on June 6th:

"Working closely with the state, we have reached the vast majority of the people affected by the early April storms," Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell said. "I urge anyone who has damages and has not yet applied to do so immediately. The deadline, June 11th at 10 p.m., is only a few days away."

Disaster assistance will continue for all applicants who register before 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2006.  Beginning Monday, June 12, registered applicants with assistance questions and inquiries may call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The speech- and hearing-impaired may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

"The state and federal response to the needs of those affected by the storms and tornadoes was immediate and comprehensive," said State Coordinating Officer Richard Griffin from ADEM. "We know that many individuals have gone through a great deal of hardship and had their lives turned upside-down. The assistance they are now receiving will provide them with the foundation necessary to start rebuilding their homes and lives."

Individuals and business owners in Conway, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph and White counties are still eligible to apply for federal and state disaster assistance for losses and damages caused by the early April storms and tornadoes.  Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.  The Speech- and hearing impaired may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Registration is also available online at www.fema.gov. The application deadline is this Sunday, June 11, 2006, at 10 p.m.

County Applications
Conway  97
Cross  111
Fulton  77
Greene  367
Lawrence  18
Randolph  277
White  101
TOTAL  1,048

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 07-Jun-2006 13:06:19