Be Safe - Ask To See Identification Badges Of Inspectors 

Release Date: June 27, 2003
Release Number: 1472-11

» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Sherwood, AR -- Inspectors are now in the field verifying damages to homes and businesses caused by the storms that began May 2 through June 10 in many Arkansas counties.

Disaster recovery officials advise applicants to ask for identification from anyone saying they are damage inspectors. All inspectors carry official photo identification. If an inspector is not wearing an identification card or badge, ask to see it.

Individuals who have applied for disaster assistance can expect to hear from several different inspectors within the coming weeks.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors generally will schedule an inspection within a week to 10 days to review damaged property and obtain more information about losses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will send loss verifiers to inspect damaged property of those who have submitted disaster loan applications.

If an inspector asking for access to your home cannot show you a photo ID, call your local law enforcement agency immediately.

The Presidential declaration makes available a wide range of federal disaster assistance programs. Financial assistance for those temporarily displaced by the storms, flooding and tornadoes could include SBA loans to repair and replace real or personal property and other assistance to help meet essential disaster-related needs not covered by other programs.

Individuals and business owners who believe they have suffered losses from the storms, flooding and tornadoes in the designated counties are urged to call FEMA's toll-free registration line at 800-621-FEMA (3362) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day. The registration number for speech- and hearing-impaired individuals is 800-462-7585 (TTY).

Counties declared for individual assistance are: Benton, Chicot, Cleburne, Columbia, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Faulkner, Fulton, Jackson, Lonoke, Nevada, Perry, Phillips, Poinsett, St. Francis, White and Woodruff

Last Modified: Friday, 27-Jun-2003 15:53:52