The Federal Emergency Management Agency is announcing additional assistance following the tornadoes that hit north central Arkansas in late May. Homeowners approved for individual assistance in Baxter, Marion, Fulton and Boone counties with privately-owned roads or bridges damaged or destroyed by the severe storms may be able to get financial assistance for replacement or repairs from FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration.
To qualify, survivors must meet all the basic eligibility criteria for the Individuals and Households Program and must have had access before the disaster occurred. They must also own the home, and it must be their primary residence.
A FEMA inspection is necessary to determine if repairs are necessary for a vehicle to access the property. An applicant must also meet at least one of the following conditions:
-The road and/or bridge is the only access to the property;
-No one can access the home due to damaged infrastructure;
-The safety of the occupants could be at risk because emergency services vehicles, including an ambulance or a fire truck, cannot reach the residence.
If multiple households share a privately-owned road, assistance will be shared among the applicants. FEMA will then require additional coordination and documentation between the agency and each applicant.
To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The phone line is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and help is available in most languages. To use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. The deadline for applications is Aug. 28.
The Small Business Administration, FEMA’s federal partner in disaster recovery, may also be able to help. Businesses, homeowners and nonprofit organizations, including associations, may be eligible for a low-interest disaster loan to repair or replace infrastructure not covered by insurance. These improvements include a private road or bridge necessary to access the property. Homeowners sharing private access roads and bridges with other homeowners may also be eligible for SBA disaster business loans. For more information about the SBA loan process call 800-659-2955, send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or go online to sba.gov/disaster.
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