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FEMA/Disaster Recovery
Last Revised June 2011
 Arkansas is no stranger to natural disasters. We have all been affected one way or another by Mother Nature’s unpredictability. Unfortunately, we have experienced more than our fair share of storms and floods over the past year and we must never forget the lives lost. But, after each tragedy, I have noticed that Arkansans have an extraordinary ability to recover and rebuild, often with the selfless help of friends, family, neighbors and even complete strangers. It’s that community spirit that makes me proud to be an Arkansan and proud to call this great state home.
As the Congressman for Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional, I see my duty as two-fold. We must first ensure our local communities have the resources they need to prepare and alert residents of approaching disasters. And, after the storm hits, we must work hard to get as much assistance as we can to those on the ground who desperately need it the most.
Whether it be securing a federal disaster declaration, providing shelter to families or getting agriculture assistance to hard-hit farmers, I will continue to do all I can to help those affected by disasters to recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.
In This Section:
Disaster Preparedness
Arkansas is blessed with an immense amount of natural beauty, but we are also prone to several types of natural disasters Our area is particularly prone to tornadoes, flooding, wildfires and even earthquakes. Of course, there is always the potential of man-made disasters in our area as well, such as a terrorist attack or a nuclear emergency at the nuclear power plant in Russellville. Taking the necessary safety precautions now, before a disaster strikes, can help protect your property and your family. Below are some great resources to help you keep you and your family safe.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA offers a tremendous amount of resources on what to do before, during and after any number of emergency or disaster scenarios, including everything from what to put into an emergency kit to how to develop communication plans for your family during times of crisis.
- Department of Homeland Security: DHS provides excellent advice and information on being ready for when disaster strikes. Visit the Department’s website and go to the ‘Preparedness, Response, Recovery’ link to find out more. You can also find information on how to prepare and protect your family and home in the event of a disaster or attack, the current threat level to our homeland, and the ability to report suspicious activity.
- Citizens Corps & Ready.gov: Some other agencies designed to help citizens prepare for terrorist attacks and disasters are the Citizens Corps, available at www.citizencorps.gov, and Ready America at www.ready.gov/america. Citizens Corps is an agency designed to bring together government and community leaders to help citizens prepare for terrorist attacks at a grassroots level. Ready America is an agency specifically for servicemen and women and their families. Their purpose is to help military families fulfill the important role they play in protecting our nation both at home and abroad.
- National Weather Service (NWS): The National Weather Service provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community.
- NOAA Weather Radio: Under a January 1975 White House policy statement, NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio became the only Government-operated radio system with the purpose of providing direct weather warnings into private homes. Besides weather warnings, Weather Radio provided information about natural disaster along with warning the public in the event of a nuclear attack. When it becomes necessary to issue a severe weather or tornado warning, the National Weather Service can activate an alarm tone. This tone activates specially equipped Weather Radio to alert you that very important information will follow. The advantage is that you do not have to continuously monitor your radio, because it will put out an audible alert. Since most Weather Radios are portable, you can take them on vacations or other trips. If you are camping, you can hear the latest forecast and information on potentially severe weather.
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Disaster Assistance
As your Congressman, I will always work to help Arkansas secure the federal assistance we need to recover and rebuild as quickly as possible following any type of disaster. Arkansans are resilient and whatever disaster comes our way, we will always recover and rebuild stronger than before. Below are three resources you may find helpful following a disaster. If you or someone you know is ever injured in an emergency situation, please dial 911 immediately or call your local first responders.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): When the President makes a disaster declaration following a disaster, if frees up critical federal aid for those families, communities, businesses and farmers who were affected. FEMA’s website includes the latest information about federal disaster declarations and how you can apply for help. There is also a toll free number you can call 24 hours a day and that number is 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
- American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas Region: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. When disasters strike in Arkansas, the Red Cross sets up relief shelters and helps people find missing loved ones.
- Safe and Well (operated by the Red Cross): After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier. You can either register yourself as "safe and well" or search for loved ones who have registered themselves as "safe and well. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name and a brief message.
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FEMA Trailers in Hope
As you may know, since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, there have been more than 15,000 manufactured homes and travel trailers stored at the Hope Municipal Airport in Hope, Ark. However, most of the units never made it to the Gulf Coast and have been stationed in Hope at taxpayers’ expense since that time.
On January 29, 2010, FEMA & the General Services Administration (GSA) sold 15,013 units through an online auction to one bidder for an average price of about $1,830 per unit and, as of May 2011, they are continuing to be removed from the storage site in Hope.
Prior to this auction, I, along with the entire Arkansas Congressional delegation, sent a letter to GSA and FEMA requesting the immediate suspension of this auction until an appropriate disposal plan could be developed. However, both agencies proceeded with the auction despite our objections.
In April 2010, I was able to help arrange a Congressional hearing in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that looked into GSA and FEMA’s decision to conduct this auction. FEMA and GSA have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and this auction demonstrates more government waste and inefficiency. The hearing examined why FEMA and GSA chose to sell the units in large lots around the country to one individual buyer when it is clear that a better use of taxpayer dollars would have been to sell them individually to the highest bidder. Had these units been sold individually or in small lots, they would have averaged a much better return. For example, in 2009, individual and small lot sales averaged a return of approximately $4,951 per unit. Therefore, selling them in bulk at such a low price is clearly a waste of taxpayer funds.
Finally, I believe that in this current time of economic recession, FEMA should have also considered distributing those housing units deemed safe and liveable to local governments, fire departments, school systems, and other entities who might have a need for them and could put them to use immediately.
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Related Legislation (Sponsored or Cosponsored by Congressman Ross this session of Congress)
- H.R.898 : To suspend flood insurance rate map updates in geographic areas in which certain levees are being repaired.
- H.R.1066 : Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2011
- H.R.1093 : Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform Act of 2011
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