President Trump declares Benton County disaster area for individual assistance

Relief aid for residents covers flood from April 26 to May 19, 2017

The Benton County Department of Emergency Management received notification that federal disaster aid has been made available for Benton County residents to supplement state and local recovery efforts. This assistance is for areas struck by flooding that started on April 28, 2017.

The FEMA Individual Assistance program can include grants and low-cost loans to help eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance and uninsured personal property. This help also will assist with medical, dental, expenses caused by the disaster and other serious unmet needs.

Affected residents and business owners may apply for individual assistance immediately by calling the registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those with a speech-and hearing impairment may call a special TTY number at 1-800-462-7585. Online registration is also available at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Please have the following information available to help speed up the application process:

• Current phone number

• Address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

• Social Security number, if available

• A general list of damages and losses they suffered

• If insured, the insurance policy number, or the agent’s and company name

The Department of Emergency Management coordinates preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all disasters in Benton County, whether natural or man-made.