May 10 message from FEMA

STATE/FEMA RECOVERY CENTERS TO OPEN IN GARLAND AND FAULKNER COUNTIES TO ASSIST DISASTER SURVIVORS

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Starting May 10, Arkansas disaster survivors can meet face to face with state and federal disaster assistance specialists at joint Disaster Recovery Centers opening in Garland and Faulkner counties. The locations of the centers and hours of operation are:

Garland County Recovery Center
Apostolic Faith Tabernacle - Gymnasium
3217 Airport Road
Pearcy, AR 71964

Faulkner County Recovery Center
Eagle Country Plaza
1122 Main Street, Suites 7 and 8
Vilonia, AR 72173

Both centers are open May 10 through May 24 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

State/FEMA recovery centers are one-stop shops for disaster assistance information. The centers are staffed by disaster assistance specialists from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Specialists from other state and federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, will also be on hand to provide assistance.

"People are welcome to visit a center once, twice, or as often as they like if they need help with the registration process or have any questions at all," said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell. "This is a great resource for Arkansans who are working through the recovery process."

"These centers are staffed by caring, knowledgeable professionals whose goal is to ensure that eligible Arkansans get all the assistance they qualify for," said Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy M. Casper. "These specialists truly are there to help people one on one."

To speed up the assistance process, Arkansans in designated counties do not have to wait to visit a center to register for FEMA assistance. They are encouraged to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov, via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov, or by telephone via FEMA's toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Specialists are available by phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

SBA is the federal government's primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.