Disaster Relief Resources

For those Arkansas businesses and residents in Cross, Lonoke, and Pulaski Counties affected by the wind, severe weather, and tornadoes on March 31, 2023, help is available through: 

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• The American Red Cross
• United Way

Note: Submitting a claim and receiving funds from your insurance company takes time, so we recommend that you also contact the disaster resources below as soon as possible. Typically, the organizations below will respond quicker than your insurance company when faced with a natural disaster such as this. 

FEMA

Residents and businesses with damage can register with FEMA to request disaster assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, or calling 800-621-3362 (6 am – 10 pm seven days a week). Once registered, FEMA may be able to help with your immediate needs, such as funds for tarps/chainsaws, grants for rent, home repairs, medical needs, and more. 

SBA

Once registered with FEMA, you can apply for an SBA low-rate disaster loan for various levels of disaster-related relief if you’re a business, private nonprofit, property owner, or even a renter. These low-rate disaster loans are a great resource when your insurance doesn’t cover enough for your losses or refuses to cover losses from the specific disaster that caused the damage.

Interest rates on these loans are as low as 2.375% APR for individuals and as low as 4.00% APR for businesses. A fact sheet, including a list of all rates and parameters for SBA low-rate disaster loans, is now available.

Other Resources

Along with FEMA and low-rate disaster SBA loans, the American Red Cross and United Way are available to assist with providing supplies, support, housing assistance, food, and more immediately following a natural disaster. 

You may also want to consider reaching out to the Disaster Distress Helpline for crisis counseling services.