BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance related to the May 26 tornadoes is under a week away.
Survivors of the disasters that ripped through eight counties in northern Arkansas May 24-27 have until August 28 to apply for federal assistance.
Spokesperson Nikki Gaskins Campbell said FEMA had given out $ 7 million to thousands of Northwest Arkansans impacted by May's storms. Yet, with Wednesday's deadline looming, FEMA encouraged all to apply even if language is a barrier.
Jorge Alvarenga and his mother, Virginia, visited FEMA's disaster recovery center in Bentonville to seek assistance. They continue remembering May 26 months later.
"I was just returning from work and my mom was there. I was going inside when it started," Alvarenga said.
The two had taken shelter in their living room until the storm had passed. When all was clear, they found 3 downed trees surrounding their home which smashed his mother's car, the home's roof, and air conditioning.
Alvarenga explained that the family spent all summer working with their insurance to make repairs.
"What our insurance covered, barely covered our roofing. Then after that, the air conditioning, we had to bear the costs and goodbye savings," Alvarenga said.
Like many survivors, they'd like to move past the disaster but are struggling.
"We had to buy portable air conditioners and fans, but it's not the same," Alvarenga explained. "And more than that, it's a 2-story home. Upstairs there was no way, I've had to sleep in the living room this entire time because upstairs it's hot."
Ignacio Hernandez provides Spanish translation services at the disaster recovery center through the Marshallese Education Initiative. The partnership has also brought Marshallese interpreters to aid visitors.
"They just want to go back home and live their normal life. So programs like this have been helping individuals to get back into regular life, right?" Hernandez said.
"The Hispanic community is not too open to ask for help for many different reasons, reasons. At first, it's a little like, I say, shy timid, and then, like, when they see somebody like me helping them. Through the process, they kind of loosen up and they get more comfortable," Hernandez added.
"We felt heard and know that there are institutions that do help and are attentive without worrying about origin or race. It's appreciated, it's very much appreciated," Alvarenga said.
FEMA encourages all Arkansans who sustained storm damage to apply by the deadline, even if they don’t have repair estimates or insurance settlements yet. To be considered, residents should apply with FEMA to begin the process, and they will work with the applicant to identify what information is needed to determine eligibility.
FEMA says you can apply for disaster assistance through these ways:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov,
- Download the FEMA App.
- Visit the Disaster Recovery Center at the Northwest Arkansas Community College, Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies (Building 15) at 1000 SE Eagle Way, Room B103 in Bentonville.
- Call toll-free 800-621-3362. The phone line is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
FEMA ask that if a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter is needed, please call their Civil Rights Resource Line: 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish). They say that line is open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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