Governor declares 32 counties disaster areas

LITTLE ROCK -- Governor Mike Beebe has declared Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Poinsett, Pope, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington counties state disaster areas due to damage caused by the recent ice storm.

Beebe has also submitted a request to President Barack Obama for a federal major disaster declaration for 25 of these counties where FEMA assessments have already taken place. Additional counties will be added to the federal request as those assessments continue.

The governor's declaration also carries a 30-day exemption of some federal restrictions for commercial vehicles helping with disaster response.

Based on the results of the assessments, the governor may ask FEMA for help from its Individual Assistance program. Individual Assistance offers grants to qualified home owners and renters to help cover costs of eligible damage that is not covered by insurance or other programs.

Those who sustained damage are urged to track items such as generator fuel used, food spoilage, food eaten out due to the storm, tree damage, hotel receipts and cost of clearing access roads.

Arkansans who sustained uninsured damage from the ice storm or those who have other questions about the disaster may contact the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management at (888) 683-2336.