On Friday, March 31st, 2023, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck Arkansas. Governor Sanders issued a proclamation declaring a State of Emergency for our state. https://governor.arkansas.gov/news_post/proclamation-to-declare-a-state-of-emergency-in-arkansas-2/
On Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, President Biden declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/04/02/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-arkansas-disaster-declaration-2/
On Monday, April 3rd, 2023, Governor Sanders launched helparkansas.com, a one-stop website for tornado recovery resources. This includes information on federal, state, local, and charitable resources for tornado survivors. Also available is a list of volunteer and charity opportunities for those who want to help their fellow Arkansans.
On April 14th, 2023, Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) created a webpage to list “Support and Assistance for Tornado Damage Recovery Updates”, https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/u/ARstrong
OTHER DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
To get the help from FEMA, Step 1 is to apply. Here are some videos that may help:
How to apply for disaster assistance with FEMA-
ASL video: FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube
English video: 3 Ways to Apply for Assistance During Presidential Major Disaster Declaration – YouTube
Spanish video: 3 maneras para solicitar ayuda de FEMA – YouTube
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY, or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
FEMA/State of Arkansas Joint Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC)
Arkansans can visit any DRC to learn more about FEMA disaster and recovery assistance. State agencies such as DHS, which had previously been located at the Family Assistance Center at 315 N. Shackleford, have relocated to the Disaster Assistance Center at West Central. At the DRCs, you may also get help to do the following:
- Apply for assistance.
- Learn the status of your FEMA application.
- Understand any letters you get from FEMA.
- Find housing and rental assistance information.
- Get answers to questions or resolve problems.
- Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
- Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.
Residents of any of the three counties approved for individual assistance, Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski may visit any open disaster recovery center in Arkansas. No appointments are necessary.
Jacksonville, AR DRC (Pulaski County)
1st United Methodist Church
308 W Main St.
Jacksonville, AR 72076
Hours: Mon-Sun: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Little Rock, AR DRC (Pulaski County)
West Central Community Center
8616 Colonel Glenn Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72204
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
North Little Rock, AR DRC (Pulaski County)
North Little Rock Community Center
2700 Willow St.
North Little Rock, 72114
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sherwood, AR DRC (Pulaski County)
Wildwood Center & Medical Tower
2402 Wildwood Ave.
North Little Rock, AR 72207
Hours: Mon-Sun: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wynne, AR DRC (Cross County)
As of Wednesday, April 12, 2023, survivors can meet face to face with specialists from FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and state and local agencies to have their questions about disaster assistance answered. They may also upload any documents needed for their applications at the centers.
Ridgeview Church
999 US Hwy 64 East
Wynne, AR 72396
Hours: Monday – Saturday 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday: 1–7 p.m.
Local / Volunteer Organizations / City of Little Rock Aid and Assistance
City of Little Rock Disaster Recovery Update as of 04/10/2023:
HOUSING: For displaced residents, a temporary emergency shelter is open at Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road. The City of Little Rock has distributed more than 250 hotel vouchers to residents in need of housing, and there is currently a waiting list for additional assistance. The American Red Cross is providing case management services to those on the City’s waiting list, and the Red Cross’s temporary emergency shelter at Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road, remains open for impacted residents who are unsheltered. 04/13/23 UPDATE: Temporary lodging in hotels or motels is now available for eligible residents displaced from their homes by the March 31 tornadoes, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), and the American Red Cross announced ON 04/13/23. This program will provide safe and comfortable lodging while helping residents displaced by tornado damage work toward permanent housing solutions. Displaced residents in Pulaski, Lonoke, and Cross counties who need temporary housing are asked to call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
DEBRIS COLLECTION: Residents may dispose of vegetative and construction debris at Reservoir Park, 8321 Cantrell Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The City will accept only those two types of debris, and they must be separated before drop-off. Residents and contractors will enter and exit Reservoir Park from the Cantrell Road entrance.
DONATE GOODS: The City is accepting donations of non-perishable foods at its drop-off site at 7000 Murray St. The drop-off site is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
DISPLACED PETS AND ANIMALS: Contact Little Rock Animal Village at www.FriendsOfTheAnimalVillage.org or call (501) 376-3067.
Where can I find the latest disaster recovery updates from the City of Little Rock?
Follow the City’s updates on Facebook and Twitter for the latest and most up-to-date information.
You can also follow Mayor Scott’s Facebook and Twitter for the latest and most up-to-date information.
Click here to subscribe to Mayor Scott’s weekly “Monday Memo” newsletter for important updates and information as well.
Family Assistance Center at The City Center (Little Rock)
Immanuel Baptist City Center
315 N Shackleford Rd
Little Rock, AR 72211
Tornado Relief Family Assistance Center Hours – City Center Hours Starting Monday, April 17
Relief Hours:
Tuesday: 10:00am-2:00pm; 4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am-2:00pm
*By Appointment Only*
Please call (501) 396-3333 on Monday between 10:00am-1:00pm to schedule an appointment.
Donation Hours:
Monday and Wednesday:
10:00am-3:00pm
The Family Assistance Center will provide support to residents impacted by the 03/31/23 tornado. Affected residents will be able to access recovery resources such as water, food, and supplies. The Family Assistance Center is a partnership with Engage Arkansas, Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief, the Salvation Army, Wolfe Street Foundation, Center for Youth and Families, Immanuel Baptist Church, Goodwill Industries, and the United Way.
The Red Cross
The American Red Cross has SHELTERS for anyone who may need one. Ways to find a Red Cross shelter:
- Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) – 24 hours a day
- Visit Red Cross website to find an open shelter
- Download the free Red Cross Emergency App
Anyone who has been affected by the storm is welcome to stop by a shelter to get information, a hot meal, charge their phone, pick up relief supplies, and get health services.
Arkansas – Open Red Cross Shelters as of 04/14/2023 (after 04/14/23, please check for locations using the link above)
Little Rock-
Calvary Baptist Church
5700 Cantrell Rd
Little Rock, AR 72207
Jacksonville-
Jacksonville First Baptist Church
401 N 1st Street
Jacksonville, AR 72076
Wynne-
Jesus Lives International Ministries
400 Fitzhugh Circle
Wynne, AR 72396
Wynne Assembly of God Church
1900 North Killough Rd
Wynne, AR 72396
If your home received structural damage from the storms recently, please contact Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross or 1-800-733-2767. https://www.redcross.org/local/arkansas.html
The United Way
United Way will connect residents to resources through its 24-hour 211 line. Individuals may call 211 to report disaster-related issues or request volunteer services. 211 call-takers will work with city volunteer efforts and other partners to provide assistance through their service.
If you are needing assistance with food replacement or other assistance related to prolonged power outages, please contact United Way at 211 (dial 211) or go online at https://arkansas211.org/
To find a specific United Way organization in Arkansas see the list and links here: https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/arkansas
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM)
Camp Joseph T. Robinson
North Little Rock, AR 72199
(501) 683-6700
https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/emergency-management/adem/
Follow ADEM on Twitter: @AR_Emergencies
Emergency Management Coordinators https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/emergency-management/adem/response/emergency-management-coordinators/
Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
Disability Disaster Hotline
Call or Text 1-800-626-4959
Email: [email protected]
The Partnership’s Disability & Disaster Hotline provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, their families, allies, organizations assisting disaster impacted individuals with disabilities and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.
#ARStrong
We are here to help in any way we can. If the resources above did not help you, please feel free to call us at 501-682-2897 or email [email protected] and we will do our best to assist. You can find emergency preparedness information at our website here https://gcdd.arkansas.gov/emergency-preparedness