Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada County Declared Disaster

Because of the recent ice and snow storms, 30 counties in Arkansas have been declared national disaster areas.

On Dec. 28, President Bill Clinton signed the emergency declaration making this proclamation, which means individuals and businesses, along with local governments in the affected counties are eligible to apply for federal and state disaster-recovery aide.

The original counties under the declaration were: Arkansas, Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Columbia, Crittenden, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Lonoke, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, Polk, Prairie, Pulaski, St. Francis and Union.

Later on, these counties were added to the list: Benton, Clark, Crawford, Cross, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hot Spring, Hempstead, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lee, Little River, Logan, Madison, Miller, Mississippi, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Poinsett, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell.

The assistance effort is being coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The aid can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.

Low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

In addition, federal funds are available to the state and affected local governments to pay 75 percent of the eligible cost for debris removal and emergency services.

To apply for this assistance, call toll-free 1-800-462-9029. For the hearing and speech impaired, the number is 1-800-461-7585.

The lines will be answered between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.