Pulaski County offices are closed Thursday for the Independence Day Holiday. No garbage routes will run Thursday, July 4th but will resume and run one day late Friday and Saturday. Waste Management will run Friday and Saturday.
Pulaski County Government is making application to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT) for construction of a Fun Park in Woodson, Pulaski County, Arkansas and an All-inclusive park at Two Rivers Park.
Pursuant to the guidelines of ADPT, notice is hereby given of public meetings to be held at Woodson Temple COGIC 7801 Woodson Lateral Rd. Woodson, AR 72180 – June 24, 2019 at 6 p.m.) and Pulaski County Administrative Offices 201 S. Broadway Little Rock, AR 72201 (4th Floor Conference Room) on Friday, June 28, 2019 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. All residents of Pulaski County are welcome to come and provide comment on the proposed projects.
The Woodson Fun Park project would involve updating and/or improving the existing park to ensure residents have a safe place to congregate. The Two Rivers All-Inclusive Park will be built for all kids, no matter what their age or ability. This rubber surface playground will include areas for children from age 2 through teens. Kids will be able to climb, swing, slide, rock, spin, crawl, roll and most of all laugh. Additional parking, a pavilion shelter for gatherings, a music note area and shade structures throughout are some of the family-oriented amenities that are proposed. The goal is to create an all-inclusive destination playground that will attract visitors from all corners of Pulaski County and beyond.
Project information is available for review at the offices of Pulaski County Community Services., Attn: Kimberly Simpson, 201 S. Broadway Ste. 220 Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 340-3433.
Pulaski County Government has partnered with the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency to provide 40 yard dumpsters, to assist in the cleanup of flood affected communities within the county. Dumpsters will be made available until funds are exhausted.
Dumpsters are available at the following locations:
Two Rivers Park-6900 Two Rivers Park Road LR, AR
West Pulaski Fire Department (Little Rock, Arkansas) www.wpfirerescue.org
8201 Pinnacle Valley Rd. LR, AR 72223
Scott Volunteer Fire Department #1
7600 Highway 161 S. Scott, AR 72142
Northside Pentecostal Church
4622 Sherman Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72118
Pilgrim Baptist Church
12715 Upper Steel Bend Rd.
FEMA and SBA
Individuals who have lost property to the flooding in Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Jefferson, Perry, Pulaski, Sebastian, and Yell counties should first contact their insurance agencies. If they are not sufficiently covered for their flood losses, they should register with FEMA at either 1-800-621-3362 (open 6am to 10pm CT, seven days a week) or at disasterassistance.gov (open at all times.)
For qualified individuals, FEMA can provide housing assistance and help with other needs generated by the flooding, including certain medical, dental, funeral, and child care expenses. FEMA can also refer individuals to the Small Business Administration (SBA). For qualified individuals in Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Jefferson, Perry, Pulaski, Sebastian, and Yell counties, the SBA can provide loans for up to $200,000 to replace or repair damaged or destroyed real estate, and up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. Interest rates on these loans for individual homeowners and renters can be as low as 1.938%. To be considered for such loans, applicants must first register with FEMA.
For qualified businesses and private nonprofits that have suffered losses due to the flooding in Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Jefferson, Perry, Pulaski, Sebastian, and Yell counties, SBA disaster loans of up to $2 million are available to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Economic injury loans from the SBA may also be available, regardless of property damage, to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses and 2.75% for private nonprofit organizations.
FEMA Helpline – For help by phone 6am-10pm CT, seven days a week: 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362); TTY 1-800-462-7585
FEMA Website – https://disasterassistance.gov
Regional FEMA Contacts – 940-898-5399 | Twitter: @FEMARegion6 | FEMA Region VI website:https://www.fema.gov/region-vi-arkansas-louisiana-new-mexico-oklahoma-texas
Basic FEMA Information – Basics for disaster assistance: https://www.fema.gov/media-library
SBA Disaster Loan Information – https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index
SBA Customer Service Center – 1-800-659-2955
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The USDA offers a variety of programs and services to help communities, farmers, ranchers, and businesses that have been affected by the flooding. In general, these resources are available to those who have suffered damages statewide—not just within the eight counties currently covered by the federal Major Disaster Declaration. Producers who incurred a loss as a result of the flooding should visit their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to file a loss claim and discuss eligibility. In addition, producers with crop insurance who experience a loss should consult their policy and speak with their insurance agent.
USDA Disaster Assistance Website – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/
FSA Disaster Assistance Programs at a Glance – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2017/fsa_disaster_assistance_programs_at_a_glance_oct2017.pdf
FSA Arkansas State Office – 501-301-3000 | https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Arkansas/index
Additional Disaster Aid Links
Beware of Scams – For post-flood tips to avoid ‘flood insurance’ or ‘home improvement’ scams click here .
IRS Relief Options – For information on the most recent IRS-issued tax relief provisions for taxpayers affected by disaster situations click here .
Emergency Food – For assistance paying for food in emergency situations through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) click here .
Paying Utility Bills – For emergency assistance with utility bills through the Arkansas Department of Human Services click here . You can also call the Arkansas Department of Human Services for utility assistance at 501-682-8714.
Flood Tips From the Office of Attorney General Rutledge
Avoid Additional Risks – Check for warping, loosened, or cracked foundation elements, cracks, and holes. Turn off all water and electrical sources to the home. Beware of rodents, snakes, and other reptiles.
Document the Damage – Take photos or video of the damage before removing the water or any flood-damaged items for any future insurance claims.
Protect Your Health – Standing water and affected areas of your home may be contaminated with sewage or household chemicals. Wear protective gear while cleaning up. Throw out any food that came into contact with flood waters.
Mitigate Mold Damage – Remove carpeting and bedding. Keep affected areas as dry as possible and use a strong cleaner such as bleach.
Removal and Repair – Beware of door-to-door solicitors or anyone asking for payment for the entire job upfront. Verify that the contractor is licensed and insist upon a written contract.
Maps & Local Emergency Information
Army Corps of Engineers flooding map – https://bit.ly/30Lo0eG
Road closures – https://www.idrivearkansas.com/
Twitter: @myARDOT
Arkansas.gov website – https://portal.arkansas.gov/pages/flood/
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management – https://adem.arkansas.gov/
Twitter: @AR_Emergencies | Facebook: @ARemergencies
Arkansas State Police – https://asp.arkansas.gov/
Twitter: @ARStatePolice | Facebook: @ARStatePolice
Little Rock District, Army Corps of Engineers – https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/
Twitter: @usacelittlerock | Facebook: @littlerockusace
(covers AR River from Little Rock to Western Arkansas)
Vicksburg District, Army Corps of Engineers – https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/
Twitter: @VicksburgUSACE | Facebook: @VicksburgUSACE
(covers Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas)
Information Source: https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1153
From Federal Emergency Management Agency
Housing inspectors and Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will soon be hitting the streets in towns throughout Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Jefferson, Perry, Pulaski, Sebastian, and Yell counties. They are there to help disaster survivors get connected with potential assistance.
Inspections occur once survivors register with FEMA. They are an essential part of the recovery process for those who need to make their primary residences livable again or have serious personal property loss. Homeowners and renters should make sure their contact information is up to date and have access to a telephone. They will need to have a photo identification and proof of ownership or a lease.
Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams go door-to-door in affected areas to answer questions about the types of help available, help survivors apply for state and federal assistance, update an applicant’s contact information, and help with referrals to community partners.
If you’re meeting a FEMA representative in person, ask to see their identification badge. All federal employees carry official, laminated photo identification. FEMA shirts, hats and jackets do not make them official.
When a FEMA inspector comes to your damaged home, he or she will require verification of your identity, but will already have your registration number, so should not ask you for it. Keep our FEMA registration number safe. Do not share it with others.
Beware of individuals charging a fee to apply for disaster assistance, provide a home inspection or any other service. Neither FEMA nor Small Business Administration staff inspectors require banking information or payment in any form. They also do not determine eligibility or dollar amounts of assistance.
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Robin Smith
DHS FEMA Region 6 External Affairs
From the Arkansas Department Emergency Management
In case you missed it…the President granted a Federal Disaster Declaration for 8 counties in Arkansas (Conway, Crawford, Faulkner, Jefferson, Perry, Pulaski, Sebastian and Yell) due to damage sustained in the recent, historic Arkansas River Flood event.
If you sustained damage and your area has not been declared yet, document damage and submit the damage documentation to your local office of emergency management. Additional counties may be added to this declaration as damage assessments continue over the coming days!
Click here for some clean up and remediation tips: https://bit.ly/2XzNSrY
As property owners in Pulaski County contemplate clean up and repairs following the recent flooding, Pulaski County is reminding residents to obtain local floodplain development permits before repairing or rebuilding flood-damaged structures.
Flood permits are required as part of Pulaski County’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This program provides eligibility for flood insurance, flood disaster assistance, state/federal grants and loans, and buyout funds for flood-prone property.
Local floodplain management ordinances require that permits be obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area, including the repair or reconstruction of any structures damaged by flooding.
Special conditions apply to substantially damaged buildings. Substantial damage is defined as the total cost of repairs equaling 50% or more of the structure’s pre-flood market value. If a building is found to be substantially damaged, regulations require that repairs not begin until compliance with the local floodplain ordinance is demonstrated. In some cases, repairs may require elevating or flood-proofing the structure to reduce the potential for future flood damage.
The cost to repair will be calculated for full repair to pre-damaged: condition, even if the owner elects to do less. The total cost to repair includes structural and finish materials as well as labor. If labor and materials are donated, they will be assigned a value. If local building codes require the structure to be repaired according to certain standards, these additional costs must be included in the full repair cost for the structure.
State and Federal assistance may be available to property owners to reduce the chances of future flood damage. Mitigation assistance may cover costs of relocation, elevating or purchasing flood-damaged structures. Flood insurance may also provide funds to protect a structure from future flood damage.
Property owners and residents with flood-damaged building should contact Pulaski County Planning (501)-340-8260 for more information on repair and reconstruction permits.
Pulaski County experienced a major flood event following a flood system that passed through Oklahoma, May 20. What began in Sebastian County slowly made its way to Pulaski County. Once expected to reach 1990 levels quickly the Arkansas River exceeded those levels. Prior to the flood, our primary areas of concern were the Pinnacle Valley Community, Two Rivers Park and Isbell Lane. Our secondary areas were Palarm Creek, Natural Steps, Colonel Maynard Road, John Branch Road, Settlement Road and Grassy Lake.
Below is a timeline of significant events.
May 24, 2019
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson declared State of Emergency
May 27, 2019
Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde Verbally Declared followed by a written declaration
May 28, 2019
Pulaski County Public Works closed the Big Dam Bridge and Two Rivers Bridge. Residents near Two Rivers Park evacuated.
May 31, 2019
Residents of the Pinnacle Valley Community were evacuated and the remaining homeowner near Two Rivers Park was also evacuated with the assistance of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. We evacuated a total of 18 families from May 30 – May 31
After meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Colonel Robert G. Dixon regarding the status of levees, there was a concern about the Woodson Levee District. Residents in that area were advised to prepare in case an evacuation became necessary. This information is being provided as a precaution. No mandatory evacuation was issued. Residents were encouraged to make preparations in case and evacuation became necessary.
It was discovered that a drainage pipe was placed near the Old River Levee Near Scott. The National Guard used Black Hawks to drop super sand bags to plug the pipe but leaks were still experienced.
Pulaski County Public Works placed sand and bags at the following areas:
Scott Volunteer Fire Department
7600 AR-161
Scott, AR 72142
Wrightsville City Hall
13024 AR-365
Little Rock, AR 72206
Pinnacle Valley Road and Simmon Loop
Big Rock Township, AR 72223
June 1, 2019
The flow at the Old River Levee slowed significantly but seeping still existed.
June 2, 2019
The Old River Levee still showed slow leaks. Pulaski County Public Works continued to monitor.
For day by day updates on the work of Public Works please see our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PulaskiAR/
Cozetta Jones
Communications Director
cjones@pulaskicounty.net
501-340-8523
Pulaski County offices will be closed in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday. No garbage routes will run Monday but will resume and run one day late, Tuesday through Saturday.