Disaster News, Relief & Information

*FEMA Updates*

For the latest FEMA updates visit their website.

FEMA May Help You with Moving and Storage Expenses (4/8/2023 2:00 p.m.)

If your home became unlivable following the severe storms and tornadoes on March 31 and you had to move your personal property into another home or a storage facility to protect it from further damage, FEMA may provide financial assistance to help cover your moving and/or storage expenses.

First step: Apply for assistance

First, you must apply for disaster assistance. Tell FEMA that you had to move your property out of your home to protect it from further damage. Financial assistance for moving and/or storage may be available to survivors whose home is unlivable due to damage caused by the disaster. There is no specified maximum for moving and storage expenses other than the financial Other Needs Assistance maximum. However, only moving and/or storage costs not covered by another source such as insurance will be considered.

What is considered personal property?

Personal property is considered essential items and/or household goods. These include appliances, such as a refrigerator or washing machine and furniture such a bed or sofa. This does not include recreational items, for example boats or fishing gear.

How to qualify?

To qualify for this assistance, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Your home was damaged and is unlivable.
• It is your primary residence. Rental or vacation homes do not qualify.
• The property being moved and/or stored is considered essential personal property and or household goods.
• You are moving and/or storing these items temporarily until you repair your home and return to it, or until you find a new place to live and can move your belongings into your new home.
• You moved and/or stored your items on or after March 31, 2023.

What is covered?

Moving and storage assistance may be provided for the following expenses:

• Costs for commercial moving labor
• Moving truck rental fee
• Fuel for the rental vehicle
• Costs for tape and boxes
• Commercial storage unit fees, including self-storage
• Associated sales taxes

Is moving and storage assistance available for survivors who are not homeowners?

Yes, as long as the eligibility criteria are met, moving and storage assistance is available to renters, people who live in public housing, private homes using a Section 8 housing choice voucher or survivors who live in assisted-living facilities.

How to apply

• The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
• If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

Arkansas Recovery Website

Arkansas launched helparkansas.com, a one-stop website for tornado recovery resources. This website includes information on federal, state, local, and charitable resources for tornado victims, as well as volunteer and charity opportunities for Arkansans seeking to help.

Little Rock

RESOURCE CONNECTIONS: United Way operates a 24-hour hotline, Arkansas 211. Individuals may dial 211 or (866) 489-6983, text their zip code to 898-211 or visit Arkansas211.org to report disaster-related issues to the City. Arkansas 211 will connect callers to available resources, working with the City of Little Rock and other community partners.

Sign up to volunteer with clean up efforts here.

Lost and found pet information and help here.

The City is collecting data to assess the status of property damage throughout Little Rock. Residents are encouraged to submit information about damage sustained using this link.

Road Closures/ Avoid Area if Possible

Updates regarding road closures available by the Little Rock Police Department on Facebook and Twitter.

North Little Rock & Sherwood

City of North Little Rock is collaborating their efforts with Sherwood. More information is available and will be updated on their website and City of NLR Facebook.

City of Sherwood will provide updates and information on their website and Facebook. Sign up for text or email alerts here.

Jacksonville

City of Jacksonville will provide updates and information on Facebook.

Do you have updated information?

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