Benton County provides update on Disaster Relief- May 31
May 31, 2024
President approves federal disaster declaration for Benton County. The Benton County relief website has information on how to apply for FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans.
New Update – FEMA
The Federal Government has approved a request for a Major Disaster Declaration in Benton County. The Major Disaster Declaration will provide the following federal assistance to Benton County residents affected by the May 26 storms:
- Individual Assistance
- U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans
- Direct federal assistance
If you have insurance (such as flood, homeowners, renters, auto, or other types of insurance), please file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible. You do not have to file your claim prior to applying for FEMA disaster assistance, but you will be required to provide FEMA with your insurance settlement or denial before being considered for certain types of assistance.
- Take photos of your damaged home and belongings for your own records.
- Make a list of damaged/lost items, which may be helpful when working with your insurance or discussing your losses with a FEMA inspector.
Apply for FEMA Assistance
- Apply online at: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362
- An in-person FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is coming to Benton County. We will update this page when the Disaster Recovery Center is opened.
New Update – SBA Disaster Loans
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Arkansas businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration. Loans are available to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, and homeowners. Please review the letters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for more information.
· English
· Spanish
Please visit sba.gov/disaster to apply for SBA assistance online.
New Update- Beware of Scams
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Benton County Prosecutor’s Office want to ensure your safety and security, so we’re issuing this important warning about potential scams. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Report Concerns: Please report to your local jurisdiction (city department, if you live in city limits, and Sheriff’s Office otherwise).
- Legal Consequences: Certain crimes have enhanced classifications/punishment if committed during a declared disaster. All storm related offenses will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
- Use Credible Companies: Use a reputable and well-established company. Research their credentials and reviews to verify their legitimacy
- Upfront Payments: Legitimate businesses typically do not ask for payment upfront before providing a service or product. Be cautious of any requests for advance payments or deposits
A message from Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway
Relief Information Recap
Benton County Disaster Relief
Benton County has compiled all disaster relief information into one website. We encourage people to visit this site for information on how to report structural damage, debris removal, community resources, and county facility closures. This website will be regularly updated with new information. Please check this site frequently for updates.
Suspended Personal Property Assessment Deadline
Governor Sarah Sanders signed an executive order allowing Benton County and other storm-affected counties to suspend the 10% penalties for a late personal property or business assessment until June 30, 2024. The original deadline was May 31, 2024.
Community Resources
Two flyers, available in English and Spanish, have been newly added to the Disaster Relief Community Resources section. These downloadable resources detail how to separate debris piles, debris public sites, debris pickup removal, and the Citizen Damage Reporter. We ask that community groups pass these flyers out to help those who may not have access to the Internet.
Benton County and Hark at Excellerate Foundation have compiled a list of community resources offered to those affected by the storms. The downloadable Excel spreadsheet can be found on the Benton County Relief website. The spreadsheet is updated regularly with new information.
Benton County Debris Cleanup
Benton County has three debris dump sites available for public vegetative debris disposal starting at 7 AM on Friday, May 30.
The Benton County East Side Debris Dropoff site, located at 603 S Hwy 62, Rogers, is open to the public for vegetative debris drop-off from 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday – Saturday, until further notice. The dump site entrance is along US HWY 62. When driving from Rogers, the entrance is on your left, past the intersection of Cemetery Road and US HWY 62. Please look for signage to find this site.
The Benton County Fairgrounds North Parking Lot, located off Hwy 279/S Vaughn Road, will be open to the public for vegetative debris drop-off from 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday, until further notice.
The Benton County Decatur Road Yard, located at 200 Spavinaw Ave, will be open to the public for vegetative debris drop-off starting on Thursday, May 30, from 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday – Saturday until further notice.
The public can bring vegetative debris to these drop sites, including root balls, logs, tree branches, leaves, and brush. No other debris will be accepted at this time. Construction and demolition (C&D) debris will not be accepted. C&D debris includes, but is not limited to, roofing, fences, drywall, furniture, etc. Mixed loads of debris will not be accepted. These sites are for public use only. The Benton County Debris Drop Site is for the public only. Commercial businesses will need to find alternative arrangements for their debris disposal.
Benton County Debris Cleanup Maps
Report Home Damage
Benton County Division of Public Safety requests residents report personal property structural damage from the May 26 storm through the Benton County Citizen Damage Reporter. The Citizen Damage Reporter is a portal where citizens can enter their estimated personal property structural damage.
Individuals should only report damage if debris, such as trees, has punctured their homes. Benton County will need clear photos of the damage done to the home itself. All reports sent in will be reviewed by the Division of Public Safety and used for disaster declaration purposes.
Benton County needs damage report information, as it will assist us with information the State and FEMA need to determine if Individual Assistance (IA) will be available. Individual Assistance (IA) is to assist individuals with uninsured losses to their homes. It does not help with vehicular damage, downed trees, or fences; it is strictly for a person’s residential structure only.
The damage report information will only be shared with the State of Arkansas and FEMA for these purposes. If IA becomes available, we will reach out to the individuals and let them know the steps for applying for IA through the State and/or FEMA. Governor Sarah Sanders has declared a disaster declaration for Benton County.
If Benton County attains a presidential disaster declaration, then citizens may be eligible for federal assistance through FEMA. More details will be released for residents if a federal disaster declaration is made.
Benton County Facilities Closures
The following Benton County facilities will be closed until further notice:
- Benton County Rogers Office – 2109-2117 W Walnut St, Rogers
- Circuit Court Division V Judge Xollie Duncan – 102 Northeast “A” St, Bentonville
- Assessor & Collector Bentonville Satellite Office – 2401 SW D Street, Bentonville
- Assessor & Collector Gravette Satellite Office – 901 1st Ave SW, Gravette
- Assessor & Collector Siloam Springs Satellite Office – 707 Lincoln St, Siloam Springs
Circuit Court Division IV Judge John R. Scott will reopen on Monday, June 3.