PRIVATELY-OWNED ROADS AND BRIDGES
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/privately-owned-roads-and-bridges-3] 

Release Date: 
Jul 19, 2024 

If you are a homeowner in one of the eight Arkansas counties approved
for Individual Assistance and had a privately-owned road or bridge
damaged or destroyed by the severe storms of May 24-27, you may be
able to get financial assistance for replacement or repairs from FEMA
or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The approved counties are Baxter, Benton, Boone, Fulton, Greene,
Madison, Marion and Randolph.

Individual Assistance 

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program grants may be used to
repair disaster-damaged privately-owned access roads and bridges. To
qualify, the survivor must meet all the basic eligibility criteria for
the Individuals and Households Program and must have had access before
the disaster occurred. They must also own the home and the home must
be their primary residence.

A FEMA inspection is necessary to determine if repairs are necessary
for a vehicle to access the property. In addition, the applicant must
meet at least one of the following conditions:

	* The road and/or bridge is the only access to the property;
	* No one can access the home due to damaged infrastructure; 
	* The safety of the occupants could be at risk because emergency
services vehicles, such as an ambulance or a fire truck, cannot reach
the residence.

When multiple households share a privately-owned road, assistance will
be shared among applicants. When this occurs, FEMA requires additional
coordination and documentation between FEMA and each applicant.

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, call toll-free 800-621-3362,
go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
[https://www.disasterassistance.gov/], download the FEMA App
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products] or visit
a Disaster Recovery Center. You can find available centers at
fema.gov/drc [http://www.fema.gov/drc]. 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. The deadline for
applications is August 28, 2024. 

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans 

The U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA’s federal partner in
disaster recovery, may also be able to help. Businesses, homeowners
and nonprofit organizations, including associations, may be eligible
for a low-interest disaster loan to repair or replace infrastructure
not covered by insurance. These improvements include a private road or
bridge necessary to access the property. Homeowners who share private
access roads and bridges with other homeowners may also be eligible
for SBA disaster business loans. For more information about the SBA
loan process call 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov,
or visit the SBA website at sba.gov/disaster
[https://sba.gov/disaster].

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4788]. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter
account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 [https://twitter.com/FEMARegion6]
or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/
[https://www.facebook.com/FEMARegion6/].