6 Arkansas Counties Named Federal Disaster Area

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated six counties in northern Arkansas as federal disaster areas after severe storms and flooding in mid-August.

The declaration covers Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion and Newton counties. The area suffered bad weather Aug. 8-14.

Under the declaration, public assistance grants are available for emergency work and for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Only local and state government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. The declaration does not provide for individual assistance to private citizens.

Also covered in the declaration is a hazard mitigation grant program, which lets governments prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards. All counties in the state are eligible to apply for that program.