Animal Assistance

If any animals are found without an owner, please contact 205-871-7803. Information about animals lost or found can be posted on Facebook. Click Here for more details.

FEMA Fraud Alert

Those who suspect anyone – an inspector, disaster survivor or someone posing as one of these – of fraudulent activities should call FEMA’s toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

Here are consumer safety tips from federal and state agencies:

  • There is never a fee to apply for FEMA disaster assistance or to receive it.
  • There is no fee for FEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration property damage inspections.
  • The only ways to register for FEMA help are to call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Or visit m.fema.gov from a smartphone or Web-enabled device.
  • Government workers will never ask for a fee or payment. They wear a photo ID. Watch out for middle men who promise you will receive money, especially if they ask for an up-front payment.
  • Get three written estimates for repair work. Then check credentials and contact your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to learn about any complaints against the contractor or business.
  • Before work begins, make sure you get a written contract detailing all the work to be performed, the costs, a projected completion date, and how to negotiate changes and settle disputes.
  • Make sure the contract clearly states who will obtain the necessary permits. Consider having a lawyer review the contract if substantial costs are involved. Keep a copy of the signed contract.
  • If the contractor provides any guarantees, they should be written into the contract clearly, stating what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee and how long the guarantee is valid.
  • Pay only by check or a credit card. A reasonable down payment may be required to buy materials for some projects, but don’t pay anything without a signed contract.

More information about making disaster-related repairs or rebuilding after a disaster is available online at www.fema.gov/rebuild.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Counseling Options

Whether you were directly or indirectly impacted, the stress associated with the April 27 storm can be overwhelming. If you or a member of your family needs help coping with the situation and want to speak with someone, the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to you. EAP can also meet collectively with employee groups. The EAP counseling services are confidential and are provided at no charge by licensed professional staff trained to work with individuals and families. The services are provided through the DCH Employee Assistance Program. Should you or a member of your family need assistance, please contact:

DCH Employee Assistance Program
201 Towncenter Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Phone: 205-759-7890
Toll-free: 866-840-0750
Fax: 205-759-7893
www.dchsystem.com/eap

Temporary Emergency Counseling Services, a coordinated effort of UA mental health professionals, is available to provide crisis counseling and mental health services to those affected by the recent tornado.  These services are provided by volunteers at no charge for the following time period: May 3–6 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and May 9–13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Volunteers will answer and refer calls to the appropriate location. For more information, please call 348-7960 or visit http://psychology.ua.edu/.

Members of the UA community need to be aware of the signs of traumatic stress in people who witnessed the tornado and its aftermath, as well as those who were concerned for people who were directly involved, and as a result were frightened for their safety. For more information on signs of traumatic stress, go to http://www.counseling.ua.edu/traumahelp.cfm.

Beginning May 4 at 7 p.m. and every Wednesday until further notice, the UA Counseling Center will offer a free tornado support group for students. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at (205) 348-3863.

The Counseling Lab at Graves Hall will be offering free disaster/crisis counseling and will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Friday. For more information, please call (205) 348-1193 or send an email to kcarmich@bamaed.ua.edu.

Legal Services

The University of Alabama School of Law will be providing free legal services to victims of the tornado beginning this week. Services will include help filling out FEMA paperwork as well as answering legal questions.

Medical Services

Some local doctors have set up mobile clinics in Alberta City, Rosedale, and Holt to do clinic work like take blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc. but not for EMS. Tornado survivors with mental health needs can call the Belk Activity Center at 205-562-3200. Those needing a medical needs shelter can call 205-331-1770 for guidelines and screening.

Spanish Speaking Assistance

Spanish speaking residents needing help should call 770-216-4989.