Federal-State Damage Assessments Begin For Homeowners, Renters
Release Date: February 8, 2009
Release Number: 1819-002
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Winter Storm
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Beginning on Monday, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be assessing damages sustained by homeowners and renters from the recent Arkansas winter storms. Gov. Mike Beebe asked for the survey to aid in determining whether the state should request additional federal disaster aid.
The assessments will take place in Benton, Carroll, Clay, Fulton, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Newton, Poinsett, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington counties as requested by the governor over the weekend.
"There are several steps in responding to and recovering from a storm as serious as the one that hit us this last week of January," said Arkansas State Coordinating Officer Rich Griffin. "This next round of assessments will give us a better picture of whether we can reasonably expect a larger federal role."
To assist the damage assessment teams, Griffin encourages Arkansans with any uninsured damage from the ice storm to their homes or personal property to contact the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management at 1-888-683-2336.
Based on the results of the assessments, the governor may ask FEMA for help from its Individual Assistance program. Individual Assistance offers grants to qualified homeowners and renters to help cover costs of eligible damages that were not covered by insurance or other programs.
"FEMA's role is to bring authorized assistance to Arkansas," said Mike Moore, FEMA's federal coordinating officer for this disaster. "Should Gov. Beebe request aid from the Individual Assistance program, FEMA will be able to objectively evaluate the request and make a recommendation to the president."
Last Friday, the president authorized FEMA's Public Assistance program for 23 counties (Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Craighead, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington). Public Assistance makes reimbursement for storm-related costs available to state, county and local governments and some private, non-profit entitiesbut does not make grants to individuals.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Monday, 09-Feb-2009 10:39:56