Federal aid tops $1 million for Arkansas severe storm recovery

More than $1 million in aid to date is helping the residents of 11 Arkansas counties recover from the severe storms that occurred between Dec. 26 and  Jan. 22, 2016, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

While assistance has already been claimed by 171 persons the agency said more aid is available to residents of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Faulkner, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Little River, Perry, Sebastian and Sevier counties who suffered flooding, disaster-related damage.

Disaster funding has included $922,237 to in housing aid to help homeowners and renters in the form of providing temporary housing, repairing damages not covered by insurance and helping to replace homes that were destroyed. The assistance also includes $77,839 which has helped recipients pay for disaster-related medical and dental costs; funeral and burial costs, clean-up efforts, moving and storage expenditures as well as replacement of clothing, household and other approved items lost in the disaster.

Lastly, the aid includes $431,200 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses approved by the Small Business Administration.

Victims seeking aid are encouraged to register for assistance with FEMA before the April 5, 2016 deadline. Access is available online or by phoning the designated hotline number 800-621-3362.