NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—During the past week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered emergency supplies to help the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) sustain residents affected by the recent severe ice storm.
“Our mission is to work with the state of Arkansas to provide all the help we can within the parameters of the emergency declaration,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Moore, FEMA’s lead official in Arkansas. “So far, FEMA has been able to meet the state’s requests for life-sustaining help.”
As of Thursday morning, more than123,000 gallons of drinking water and 521,000 meals had been delivered to staging areas in Fayetteville and Jonesboro.
Some 82 generators delivered to ADEM by FEMA are supplying electrical power to keep essential public facilities, such as hospitals and shelters, operating. The federal emergency declaration does not authorize FEMA to provide generators to individuals.
In addition, FEMA has delivered three trailer loads of cots for people to sleep on at emergency shelters, one trailer load of blankets, and a trailer load of 4,400 tarps which are primarily used as temporary coverings for leaking roofs.
There are currently 36 shelters open throughout affected areas with 580 occupants.
Preliminary damage assessments have been completed in the 31 counties requested by the state.
The unprecedented scale of the storm that hit the state on Jan. 26-Jan. 28 left many without access to clean water, food, or a bed to sleep in. An emergency declaration signed by President Obama on Jan. 29 gave FEMA the green light to commission other federal agencies to bring in life-saving supplies.
FEMA’s direct federal assistance provides 75 percent federal funding for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million.
