Latest news with #ArkansasDivisionofEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Trump approves disaster assistance for March 14-15 severe storm outbreak in Arkansas
VIDEO: A look at tornado damage after severe storms on March 14 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The federal government has granted disaster assistance after severe storms hit Arkansas in March. According to a release from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office, President Donald Trump announced that he will declare a Major Disaster in Arkansas for a bout of severe storms and tornadoes that hit the Natural State on March 14 through March 15. Arkansas to appeal federal denial for individual assistance after March 14 storms 'Our entire state is grateful for President Trump's leadership and assistance as we recover from the devastating storms that struck Arkansas earlier this spring,' Sanders said in part. 'I had a productive conversation with the President in which he expressed his support for our state and I offered my full endorsement of his plans to reform FEMA to save money and provide greater direct assistance to disaster victims.' The state had initially requested federal aid after the storms but was denied individual assistance, leading Sanders and Arkansas Division of Emergency Management officials to submit an appeal. As part of the disaster declaration, state officials said Trump will offer individual assistance to Arkansans impacted by the storms. National Weather Service confirms at least 15 tornadoes in Arkansas during weekend storms In March, authorities confirmed at least three people died and 29 were injured as a result of the storms. The National Weather Service confirmed at least 15 tornadoes touched down during the storm outbreak. FEMA officials said those looking to apply for aid can do so by calling 1-800-621-3362, using the FEMA app or online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sarah Sanders begs her old boss Trump to reconsider after president rejects Arkansas' request for disaster relief funds
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has begged President Donald Trump to reconsider his rejection of her request for disaster relief funds after tornadoes devastated her state last month. The former Trump White House press secretary wrote to Trump in March after storms ravaged the state, killing three people. Sanders, who often sparred with journalists in the press room as White House Press Secretary during Trump's first administration, declared a state of emergency and asked her former boss to declare a major disaster so the state could secure a federal handout. But the Trump administration rejected the request and said the damage could be handled by the state. In an appeal to Trump, her former boss, Sanders and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management wrote again on April 18 and pleaded with the president that Arkansas is 'in dire need of federal assistance.' 'The severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on March 14 and 15, 2025, produced catastrophic impacts across the state. The sheer magnitude of this event resulted in overwhelming amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the tragic loss of three lives, and injuries to many others,' Sanders said in the letter, the Arkansas Times reports. She described how a second wave of severe weather hit Arkansas less than three weeks later. 'Given the cumulative impact of these events, federal assistance is essential to help our communities recover,' Sanders said. The plea for help marks a significant departure from statements Sanders made in 2023. 'As long as I am your governor, the meddling hand of big government creeping down from Washington DC will be stopped cold at the Mississippi River,' she wrote in a post on X in January 2023. Still, the Biden administration swiftly allocated federal funds to support Arkansas when storms that same month killed five people. During the gubernatorial race, Sanders campaigned for the 'right to be free of socialism and tyranny.' Trump has floated abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which responds to all kinds of natural disasters and other emergencies across the nation, and leave the task of responding to emergencies up to individual state governments. Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk have been looking for ways to slash the federal budget by reducing programs and staffing. 'You know what? If they get hit with a tornado or something, let Oklahoma fix it ... and then the federal government can help them out with the money,' Trump said in January. 'FEMA is getting in the way of everything. And the Democrats actually use FEMA not to help North Carolina. It makes no sense.' Before she asked Trump for a handout, Sanders backed Musk's cost-cutting efforts and said her state was doing the same. 'What @elonmusk is doing with DOGE is a game changer,' Sanders said in a post on the billionaire's X platform at the end of February. 'Arkansas did the same thing and uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in waste and inefficiencies and I know @DOGE is going to find even more.'
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Sarah Sanders begs her old boss Trump to reconsider after president rejects Arkansas' request for disaster relief funds
Sarah Huckabee Sanders has begged President Donald Trump to reconsider his rejection of her request for disaster relief funds after tornadoes devastated Arkansas last month. The former Trump White House press secretary wrote to Trump in March after storms ravaged the state, killing three people. Gov. Sanders, who often sparred with journalists in the press room during Trump's first administration, declared a state of emergency and asked her former boss to declare a major disaster so the state could secure a federal handout. But the Trump administration rejected the request and said the damage could be handled by the state. In an appeal to Trump, Sanders and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management wrote again on April 18 and pleaded with the president that Arkansas is 'in dire need of federal assistance.' 'The severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on March 14 and 15, 2025, produced catastrophic impacts across the state. The sheer magnitude of this event resulted in overwhelming amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the tragic loss of three lives, and injuries to many others,' Sanders said in the letter, the Arkansas Times reports. She described how a second wave of severe weather hit Arkansas less than three weeks later. 'Given the cumulative impact of these events, federal assistance is essential to help our communities recover,' Sanders said. The plea for help marks a significant departure from statements Sanders made in 2023. 'As long as I am your governor, the meddling hand of big government creeping down from Washington DC will be stopped cold at the Mississippi River,' she wrote in a post on X in January 2023. Still, the Biden administration swiftly allocated federal funds to support Arkansas when storms that same month killed five people. During the gubernatorial race, Sanders campaigned for the 'right to be free of socialism and tyranny.' Trump has floated abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which responds to all kinds of natural disasters and other emergencies across the nation, and leave the task of responding to emergencies up to individual state governments. 'You know what? If they get hit with a tornado or something, let Oklahoma fix it ... and then the federal government can help them out with the money,' Trump said in January. 'FEMA is getting in the way of everything. And the Democrats actually use FEMA not to help North Carolina. It makes no sense.'
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov't agencies tour West Memphis after flooding
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Several government agencies toured West Memphis on Saturday as a part of an ongoing effort to help recovery efforts after last week's severe storms. According to the City of West Memphis, FEMA, the Small Business Administration, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, and the City of West Memphis Office of Emergency Management conducted a joint tour of several areas in West Memphis. The City says the tour is part of a larger data-gathering effort. The City says the data is needed to support a federal Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Arkansas. 'Life or death situation': Over 100 West Memphis residents rescued from their flooded homes West Memphis faced massive flooding after last week's storms. More than 100 residents had to be evacuated from their homes. Flood waters shut down many roads, and at least one family had to be rescued from a vehicle. 'All our pumps have been working. It wasn't a wastewater or drainage stop-up,' West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said. 'It was just an unprecedented flood for our city.' The American Red Cross stepped in to provide resources to those who needed them, opening a shelter for those who didn't have anywhere else to go. Even as the flooding began to recede, some residents still had problems leaving or getting to their homes. Some neighborhoods reported water levels of more than five feet. 'Yeah, I done lost everything,' West Memphis resident Alvis Gibbs said. 'Yeah, everything gone. God is good. I'm still here.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Craighead County sheriff confirms at least 8 injuries after storms
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, Ark. – Officials in Craighead County confirmed Thursday that at least eight people were injured during the storms that touched down Wednesday. Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd said all of those who were injured are expected to recover, including a truck driver whose truck was flipped during the storm. Tornadoes, winds, flooding and hail: Arkansas wakes up to disastrous severe storm damage A viewer in the Lake City area submitted images of a possible wedge tornado. According to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, damage was reported in 22 counties. There were no deaths reported. There were 47 tornado warnings issued in Arkansas Wednesday. The National Weather Service hasn't confirmed any tornadoes, but crews will begin to survey the damage. Thousands without power Thursday morning after Arkansas storms The Arkansas Storm Team has issued an Alert Day for Thursday as storms have a possibility of turning severe during the afternoon and evening hours. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
