Flood waters are receding and flood victims across the state are hoping to move forward.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are canvassing neighborhoods. Their job is to go door to door and help people make those next steps.
Jose Alvarado is going to as many homes as possible in a North Little Rock neighborhood that's no longer underwater.
“We walk the streets, we go door to door and we try to see if they need assistance from FEMA,” Alvarado said.
Teams register victims and give them follow-up procedures, like checking on flood insurance.
“If no one is in the house, we would leave a flyer that has all the information and how to reach FEMA,” Alvarado said.
They will also go back to the home days later and try to speak with someone, so the process can awhile.
“The emergency manager gives me areas to go see if people have been affected. So, we go to those areas. When we reach these areas, if I see signs of flooding, I knock on every single door,” Alvarado said.
“If people don’t want to register with us, they feel insecure because they have to provide the social security number, so we encourage them to call the 1-800 number,” he said.
The number is 1-800-621-3362 and you can visit there website at www.disasterassistance.gov.
You’ll get a FEMA registration number that should be protected, just like your social security number.
As these teams go door to door trying to help, there may be people trying to steal your information.
“FEMA will never call you and say, ‘I’m sorry, I need you to tell me what your number is.’ We need you to report situations like that,” FEMA Public Information person Robin Smith said.
After registering, you may receive a phone call or visit from a damage inspector. They will already have your name, address, and FEMA number.
The average FEMA grant is less than $6,000.
Soon, there will also be more ways to meet with them.
“There will be disaster recovery centers that are going to be opening up in various counties. That’s a great place to go and get answers,” Smith said.
Currently, FEMA is making plans on where to set up recovery centers.