The Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management is collecting information regarding properties damaged by flooding.
Over the past few weeks, Jefferson County has been subjected to flooding that may have caused damage to many homes and businesses in the county.
Please call 870-541-5470 and be prepared to give the following information:
• Name of owner or renter of property
• Address of property
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
• Contact phone number
• Is property a primary residence, rental or business?
• Is the property a single-family home, mobile home or multifamily/apartment building?
• What type of damage was sustained? How many inches of water was inside the home?
• Are the property or property contents insured?
• Estimated damage or loss.
Information collected will be used to estimate the amount of damages within the county, which may help to make a determination for a disaster declaration. The information will be made available to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management as part of a damage assessment process for submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Jefferson County may be eligible for disaster assistance. Keep all documents and receipts and take pictures of the affected areas and the resulting flood damage.
For properties located in special flood hazard areas that have been impacted by flooding, there are a few things to keep in mind. Residents who live in high-risk flood areas and receive federal disaster assistance or grants are required to purchase and maintain flood insurance. Without this, many forms of disaster assistance may be denied.
For those who live in a designated flood area and whose homes may suffer damage, please remember that before you start repairing your homes, you need to obtain the necessary permit from the Jefferson County OEM. OEM is located in the basement of the county courthouse at 101 W. Barraque St., Pine Bluff. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.