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Tornado victims to stay in FEMA trailers, further unemployment assistance offered Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Some of the trailers purchased by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2005 in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be used to house victims of tornados that hit Arkansas and other areas last week, officials said Tuesday. Also Conway, Izard and Randolph counties were added to the original list of five counties authorized for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, which can help individuals who have temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits, the state Department of Workforce Services said. First lady Laura Bush was scheduled to tour Atkins on Tuesday but her visit was canceled because of poor weather conditions. Officials are uncertain how many people are homeless after the tornadoes ripped a 120-mile path across the state Feb. 5, but they said FEMA trailers would be available for those who request them. "Certainly there is a need for the manufactured housing, and if there's a need, (FEMA) will use (the trailers), and I think they're probably going to be moving some fairly rapidly," said David Maxwell, director of the state Department of Emergency Management. Maxwell said FEMA officials anticipated a request from state officials and the state's congressional delegation for the use of some of the 7,200 trailers stored at the Hope Municipal Airport. FEMA came under scrutiny last February when the agency declined to trailers to southern Arkansas after tornados devastated Dumas and surrounding areas. Those interested in the trailers should call 1-800-621-3362 to apply. FEMA officials then must verify the damages before a trailer would be sent, Maxwell said. Those still with homes but without jobs can filed claims through March 12 at local Department of Workforce Services offices and other locations for disaster unemployment assistance, which provides unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. To be eligible, workers must have worked or have been scheduled to work in the disaster area, but because of the tornados, they no longer have a job, a place to work in the area or could not get to their place of work because of disaster damage. |
