RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

AUSTIN – After Texas residents apply for FEMA assistance, a home inspection may be necessary to verify damage from the March 26-28 severe storms and flooding.

Homeowners and renters in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties can apply for FEMA assistance for losses not covered by insurance for the March storms.

Within 10 days after applying, a FEMA inspector may contact applicants to schedule an appointment. The call or text to schedule an inspection will probably come from an out-of-state phone number.

Information gathered during the inspection is one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine if applicants are approved for federal assistance. If survivors have already made repairs or replaced damaged items, although not required, it may be helpful to have pictures of the damage and receipts for repair or replacement. Applicants should also have their insurance policy available.

The housing inspector will consider:

The structural soundness of the home, both inside and outside.Whether the electrical, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer/septic systems are all in working order.Whether the home is safe to live in and can be entered and exited safely.

All FEMA representatives carry photo identification. Inspectors will never ask for or accept money. Their service is free. 

A home inspection may take up to 45 minutes to complete. After the inspection, applicants should allow seven to 10 days for processing. For questions about the status of an application, call

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

AUSTIN – After Texas residents apply for FEMA assistance, a home inspection may be necessary to verify damage from the March 26-28 severe storms and flooding.

Homeowners and renters in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties can apply for FEMA assistance for losses not covered by insurance for the March storms.

Within 10 days after applying, a FEMA inspector may contact applicants to schedule an appointment. The call or text to schedule an inspection will probably come from an out-of-state phone number.

Information gathered during the inspection is one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine if applicants are approved for federal assistance. If survivors have already made repairs or replaced damaged items, although not required, it may be helpful to have pictures of the damage and receipts for repair or replacement. Applicants should also have their insurance policy available.

The housing inspector will consider:

The structural soundness of the home, both inside and outside.Whether the electrical, gas, heat, plumbing and sewer/septic systems are all in working order.Whether the home is safe to live in and can be entered and exited safely.

All FEMA representatives carry photo identification. Inspectors will never ask for or accept money. Their service is free. 

A home inspection may take up to 45 minutes to complete. After the inspection, applicants should allow seven to 10 days for processing. For questions about the status of an application, call

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to Arkansas residents, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations that are recovering from back-to-back severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept across the state March 14-15 and April 2-22. 

Residents and businesses in Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties may now apply if they had damage in the March storms. Similarly, residents and businesses affected by the April storms, tornadoes and flooding in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sharp, St. Francis and White counties may also apply.

FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors. Disaster loans are the largest source of federal recovery funds for storm survivors. They help private property owners pay for disaster losses not covered by insurance, local or state programs. SBA loans also cover deductibles and increased cost of compliance after a disaster. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application.

Interest rates on disaster loans can be as low as 2.75% for homeowners and renters, 3.62% for private nonprofit organizations and 4% for businesses, with terms up to 30 years for physical damage to real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery and equipment. Loan amounts and terms are set by

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RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The state of Arkansas, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have added four new sites that offer face-to-face help for residents affected by the March 14-15 and April 2-22 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Hours are also extended at some sites.

Homeowners and renters in the impacted counties may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance for losses not covered by insurance. Specialists are available to help you apply for FEMA assistance, review your existing application and submit documents needed to move your application forward.

The new locations and extended hours include:

CRITTENDEN COUNTY

Roberta Jackson Neighborhood Center

1300 Polk Avenue, West Memphis, AR 72301

Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 30 and June 2 to June 4; closed Saturday and Sunday

West Memphis City Hall

205 South Redding, West Memphis, AR 72301

Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 31 only 

Earle City Hall                                                                                       

1005 2nd Street, Earle, AR 72331 

Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 2 to June 4

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY

Lake City – City Hall

406 Court Street; Lake City, AR 72437 

Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 2 to June 4

DESHA COUNTY

McGhee Municipal Complex

901 Holly Street, McGhee, AR 71654

Regular Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 30 to May 31 and June 2 to June 4

SHARP COUNTY

Hardy Fire Station

203 Church Street, Hardy, AR 72542

Days: May 30 to May 31 and June 2 to June 7 

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6

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