Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Disaster Recovery Center now open to flood victims
Homes, buildings from Fayetteville to Bentonville damaged in storms
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging Northwest Arkansas residents impacted by storms and flash flooding in April and May to visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Fayetteville.
“Right now we have 1,300 storm damage survivors who have registered with FEMA for assistance,” FEMA representative William C. Lindsey said. “We know there’s maybe a lot of folks who still need assistance. We’re here to render that assistance and provide recovery for assistance.”
Homes and buildings from Fayetteville to Bentonville sustained damage.
“At this stage we have government resources here that are provided by the city, county, state and federal arm. We want people to know that anyone who sustained damages or losses from the storm damage qualifies for FEMA assistance, not just businesses,” Lindsey said.
FEMA canvassing teams went door-to-door to speak with people who made individual assistance claims, Robert McGowen, Benton County’s emergency services administrator, recently said.
The Recovery Center, located in the Fayetteville Executive Airport Terminal Building at 4500 S. School Ave., is designed to provide face-to-face recovery assistance to residents with unmet needs, Lindsey said.
“A lot of people who suffered damages in storms can’t live in their homes,” Lindsey said. “We provide a center as a one-stop shop for all their recovery needs.”
The center is staffed with Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives. Those who sustained property damage can come to the center and receive help applying for assistance; learn about the types of assistance available; learn about the appeal process; get updates on applications; discuss the Small
Business Administration’s low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses; and meet with other federal, state and voluntary organizations for information about additional disaster assistance.
John Luther, director of Washington County Emergency Management, said Recovery Center staffers are helping flood survivors open case files.
Sixteen counties across the state have declared for federal
assistance, and $2.7 million in federal aid has been provided so far to flood survivors from those counties, Lindsey said.
The Small Business Administration has made $1 million in loans to flood victims across the state, according to an email from Corey Williams, a Business Administration representative.
The Recovery Center remain open as long as local emergency management agencies express a need for its presence, Lindsey said.