FEMA Assisting Arkansas Residents After Storms

Beginning today, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are 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 seek 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.

To assist the damage assessment teams, Arkansans with any uninsured damage from the ice storm to their homes or personal property can 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.

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 entities—but does not make grants to individuals.