Disaster Assistance

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valuable info from our Partners | misc

On April 27, 2011, Alabama was hit by an historic outbreak of tornadoes that struck the Southeast. In the wake of this disaster, many industries and businesses are looking for ways to address immediate needs and plan for future recovery. This is a growing list of links to resources available, broken out by Federal, State, and County level (for Counties recognized for Federal assistance).

If you are aware of resources not listed here, please contact wwallace@edpa.org.

Federal

FEMA: Affected business owners in designated counties should apply for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration number, 800.621.3362. The hearing or speech impaired can use the TTY line at 800.462.7585. The registration lines are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. An application may also be completed online: www.disasterassistance.gov

A list of Disaster Recovery Centers is featured at the end of this page.

SBA: U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans - DEADLINE JUNE 27: SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

USDA: In areas affected by natural disasters, Rural Development can help existing Rural Development borrowers who are victims of a disaster. USDA disaster link

FSA: The Farm Service Agency provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities. FSA disaster programs

IRS: IRS Disaster Losses Kit for Business (PDF)

U.S. Department of Commerce: Commerce Connect

Employee Management after a Disaster: A natural disaster creates unusual challenges for management. You and your staff may yourselves be suffering from its effects. Emotional stress, physical injury, bereavement, loss of property, and disruption of normal routines may limit the availability and energy of your work group. U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Business Record Recovery: Despite systematic planning efforts, when emergencies do occur — whether they are small scale or catastrophic — they can be overwhelming. Information in this website provides information and guidance on recovering various types of record materials. National Archives Disaster Response and Recovery

State

Governor's Recovery Response Line 1.866.465.2241

State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency
Alabama EMA live feeds via Facebook

Disaster Recovery Centers: Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will staff the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply. The centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Cullman County
1701 2nd Ave S.W.
Cullman, Ala. [map]

DeKalb County Tom Bevell Center
115 Main St. W
Rainsville, Ala. [map]

Franklin County
Russellville Parks and Recreation Center
204 Ash Ave.
Russellville, Ala. [map]

Jefferson County
Union Hill Baptist Church
7049 Taylors Ferry Road
Bessemer, Ala. [map]

National Guard Armory
140 Cane Creek Road
Warrior, Ala. [map]

Old Ashley Furniture Store
3429 Lowery Parkway
Fultondale, Ala. [map]

Marengo County
National Guard Armory
2599 East Coats Ave.
Linden, Ala. [map]

Sumter County
Geiger Town Hall
201 Broadway St.
Geiger, Ala. [map]

Tuscaloosa County
951 26th St. E.
Tuscaloosa, Ala. [map]

Coaling Town Hall
11281 Stephens Loop
Coaling, Ala. [map]

Tuscaloosa Business Information Recovery Center
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
2200 University Blvd. [map]
Links affected businesses with the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center, FEMA, and other resources.

Walker County
Cordova High School
183 School Road
Cordova, Ala. [map]

Offer Assistance

If your business is offering assistance to those within the state, please visit the Business Council of Alabama's Tornado resource page to submit your business for their listing.

Valuable information from our Partners

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama emergency policies for customers

Tornado Relief: Encouraging Volunteers While Minimizing Risk - Johnston Barton

Meeting the Challenge in Challenging Times - RBC Bank

Regions Bank provides assistance to customers affected by storms

Miscellaneous

Birmingham area businesses are encouraged to fill out Main Street Birmingham's Small Business Recovery Needs Assessment

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center offers a National Disaster Help Desk at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP (1.888.692.4943) for disaster-affected small businesses that are not sure what to do, or don’t know what resources are available to them. The Help Desk is made possible by the Office Depot Foundation.