On May 1st, Governor Beebe "sent a letter to President Obama requesting a major disaster declaration for 57 Arkansas counties impacted by severe storms, tornadoes and floods beginning April 14. Those counties include Arkansas, Baxter, Benton, Bradley, Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Chicot, Clark, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Howard, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lonoke, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Phillips, Pike, Polk, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Searcy, Sharp, St. Francis, Stone, Van Buren, Washington, White, Woodruff, and Yell." (From the official press release.) This declaration means that storm victims are eligible for federal aid, as well as assistance from the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan program.
According to the Small Business Administration, you do not have to own a business to be eligible for assistance. "Renters and homeowners alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Homeowners may apply for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition." Some conditions do apply, so anyone interested in such a loan should contact the SBA and read the fact sheets before applying.
The Arkansas Chapter of the Red Cross has opened shelters in areas affected by flooding. For more information or to find a shelter near you, visit their webpage. The Red Cross also has disaster preparedness kits and weather radios available to purchase.
For information about how to stay safe in floods, you can visit the Red Cross Flood Information page, and for more information about how floods form, the different kinds of flooding, and other weather related information, visit the National Weather Service Flood Safety homepage.
