Arkansas to Accept FEMA Mobile Homes for Storm Victims

Governor Mike Beebe, after consulting with Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) Director David Maxwell and Arkansas State Health Officer Dr. Paul Halverson, has decided that Arkansas will accept FEMA mobile homes for use by Arkansas storm victims as temporary housing.

Arkansas is accepting only those mobile homes that have been tested by FEMA and registered formaldehyde levels at or below 40 parts per billion (ppb), the governor’s office reported.

According to published national studies, typical trace levels of formaldehyde range between 10 and 40 ppb in all types of residences across the country.

ADEM will coordinate with FEMA to ensure that only mobile homes with readings below 40 ppb will be available to storm victims. The Arkansas Department of Health will provide mobile-home recipients with information about how to keep formaldehyde levels low.

State officials will review FEMA test results on additional mobile homes as Arkansans displaced by continued flooding apply for temporary-housing assistance.

Source: Arkansas Governor’s Office, www.governor.arkansas.gov/