FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark — Many people in Arkansas have had a firsthand experience with floodwaters, especially the people living in Faulkner County.
The recent heavy rains have damaged homes and businesses in the area and caused several roads to have to close until the rain subsided. Though those roads and streets have reopened, the damage that was left behind can be difficult to repair and some insurance policies may not cover the costs.
Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson said that many people within the county were affected by recent floods and they've been actively working to try and find a solution to help those in need.
"It's very important that you contact the Faulkner County Office of Emergency Management to let them know about that damage. The state and the county qualify for state and or federal assistance, so it's important that you have reported that property damage. That helps us to meet that threshold to make some of those funds available," Judge Dodson described.
He explained how this assistance would not only apply to those in the county but also to the people who were affected and live within the city limits.
"We know their families displaced, and [there are] others that, although they may not be displaced, still have home damage, property damage to their cars, their homes, their outbuildings, and so forth. [There has been] lots of rain in a very, very short period of time, I don't recall in my life here, ever seeing that," added Judge Dodson.
BMB Creations in downtown Conway was just one of the businesses in the city impacted by the floods.
"Just out of nowhere, it just hit us, and I think within 15 minutes, the whole bakery was flooded. That's not something that we ever planned on or expected, yes downtown Conway floods quite often, as most people in this area know, and we've had puddles here and there, but never to that extreme, and that fast," said Beata Burczyc, Co-owner of BMB Creations.
After hours of cleanup, several buckets of water later, and help from her staff and husband, Burczyc said that they were able to get back to business on Thursday morning.
"We were very grateful, we are growing slowly but surely, and we absolutely love it and, like I said, it takes a village," Burczyc added.
If you have photos of your property damage from the floods you are encouraged to call (501) 450-4935.