Disaster Assistance Resources
On January 15, 2023, President Biden granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Alabama in response to the severe storms and tornadoes that devastated many of our communities on January 12th. This declaration has triggered the release of essential federal resources to help our individuals and communities recover from the devastation.
My office is ready to help assist individuals and local elected officials navigate the disaster relief application process. Please reach out to my office if you have questions.
INFORMATION FOR HOMEOWNERS/RENTERS
HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE
Homeowners and renters in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Sumter, and Tallapoosa counties who had uninsured losses from the Jan. 12 storms may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Register with FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
FEMA fact sheets regarding President Biden's decaration are linked below:
- Sequence of Delivery
- Individual Assistance
- Individuals and Households Program
- Hazard Mitigation Assistance
- Public Assistance
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS (DRC)
FEMA's Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) provide one-on-one help to people affected by the Jan. 12 severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes. Recovery specialists from FEMA, state and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications for assistance. No appointment is necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
- Dallas County
- Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community Center
- 1428 Broad St., Selma, AL 36701
- Regular Hours: Sunday to Saturday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
- Dallas County
- Felix Heights Community Center
- 405 Medical Center Pkwy. Selma, AL 36701
- Regular Hours: Monday to Sunday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
- Hale County
- Akron Volunteer Fire Station
- 181 First Ave. South, Akron AL 35441
- Regular Hours: Sunday to Saturday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
- Autauga County
- Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Center
- 118 Jesse Samuel Hunt Blvd., Prattville, AL 36066
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
- Coosa County
- Rockford Baptist Church
- 9575 US Hwy. 231, Rockford, AL 35136
- Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time; and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. central time
- Elmore County
- Elmore County Court House
- 100 E. Commerce St., Wetumpka, AL 36092
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time daily.
INFORMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Pursuant to President Biden's major disaster declaration, small businesses in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Sumter and Tallapoosa Counties are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clay, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, Talladega, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox in Alabama; and Kemper, Lauderdale and Noxubee in Mississippi.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration #17759.
Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTERS (BRC)
SBA is operating two local Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to assist business owners and residents in filling out a disaster loan application and providing one-on-one help and program information. The centers will operate as indicated below until further notice:
- Dallas County
- GTC Administrative Building
- 2300 Summerfield Road, Selma, AL 36701
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Autauga County
- Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce
- 131 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES
NOAA Extreme Weather Information Sheet
DURING A TORNADO
- Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
- Put on sturdy shoes.
- Do not open windows.
If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision. Possible actions include:
- Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
- Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
- Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the roadway and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
In all situations:
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
- Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
During a Flood
- Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
- Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
- If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
- Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
The American Red Cross and the following government agencies stand ready to assist those who have been adversely impacted by severe weather: