LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State and federal emergency management officials encourage Arkansas flood survivors to begin repairs as soon as they can.
Flood survivors do not need to wait for a visit from FEMA or their insurance company to start cleaning up and make repairs. FEMA inspectors and insurance claims adjusters will be able to verify flood damage even after cleaning has begun.
It’s important for survivors to take photographs of damage and keep recovery-related receipts. Insurance companies may need both items, while FEMA may need receipts.
Survivors should check for structural damage before entering their homes and report any damage to local officials. They should also immediately throw away wet contents like bedding, carpeting and furniture because of health issues that may arise with mold.
Emergency management officials encourage survivors to contact their insurance companies. Disaster survivors should first assess their needs and speak to their insurance agents before registering.
FEMA assistance may help eligible homeowners and renters pay for a temporary place to stay, make repairs or replace certain damaged contents.
Individuals can register online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available.
Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-
7585. Survivors who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362.
FEMA assistance is not taxable, doesn’t need to be repaid and doesn’t affect other government
benefits.
Those who are referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration should complete the application for a low-interest disaster loan. It is not required to accept a loan offer but completing the SBA application is necessary for FEMA to consider survivors for certain forms of disaster assistance.
FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
For mitigation information and regularly updated disaster information go to:
http://www.fema.gov/armit | http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4441.
The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state's homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. TTY users may also call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit SBA at www.SBA.gov/disaster.
