Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Financial Assistance Available

Help is available for victims of the March 1 tornadoes, which destroyed a third of Arkadelphia.

These storms left six dead, 102 injured, destroyed 45 homes, leaving 53 heavily damaged and another 163 with minor damage. A total of 67 mobile homes were demolished, with one sustaining major damage.

There were 250 members of the Arkansas National Guard deployed to help, along with 27 Arkansas State Police Troopers.

Five apartment houses were destroyed, with nine having major damage and 19 with minor damage.

In the downtown area, 45 businesses were damaged and/or destroyed by the storms, along with 16 public buildings.

In the wake of this wanton destruction, help responded quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has set up toll- free numbers for tornado victims to apply for grants.

These grants can only be applied for by phone at this time, as FEMA is working to keep the victims from having to travel and stand in lines. This also allows them to discuss their needs and problems privately.

Those numbers are 1-800-462-9092, and for the hearing and speech impaired with TDDs, the number is 1-800-462-7585.

At this time, no walk-in application services are available. Nor will applications be taken at the Disaster Recovery Center, set up at Ouachita Baptist University in the Harvey Jones Science Center.

Under FEMA's Individual Assistance Program, grants of up to $13,000 can be obtained by storm victims for uninsured losses related to the damage or destruction of their primary residence.

Inspectors will verify the losses on claims before making approvals. However, to apply, victims must call FEMA's toll-free hotlines. The amount of the grants awarded will be based on the actual losses sustained.

Those victims of the tornado who lost their jobs in Clark County as a direct result of the storms may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance through the Employment Security Division.

This is primarily for those who are not qualified for regular unemployment benefits, such as those self-employed. This program will provide aid for up to 26 weeks.

Those affected in Clark County can apply at the Hot Springs ESD office at 3955 Central Ave., Suite 10, or by calling (501) 525-3450. They can also apply at the Malvern ESD at 127 West 5th Street, or call (501) 332-5461.

Those eligible have 30 days (from March 6 through April 5) to file claims.

Local relief efforts will provide other necessities, such as food and clothing.

Victims can get hot meals at the Third Street Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and Parkhill Baptist Church.

Clothing is available at Goza Junior High School, 1305 Caddo.

Boxes of food can be obtained at Parkhill Baptist, First Baptist, St. Paul AME, at 15th and Caddo and Greater Pleasant Hills Baptist, 16th and Caddo.

Parkhill Baptist is also offering temporary shelter to those in need.

Elk Horn Bank has established a disaster relief fund as well.