Sanders’ request for Major Disaster Declaration approved by President Biden

Launches one-stop website for tornado recovery

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden to support ongoing recovery efforts in communities impacted by the tornadoes on Friday, March 31, was approved April 2. 

“I’d like to express my thanks to President Biden and our federal partners for their speedy approval of my Major Disaster Declaration request. It’s clear that the damage caused by Friday’s tornadoes is significant and widespread,” said Governor Sanders. “I will continue to work with our first responders, law enforcement, volunteers, and state and local leaders to help Arkansans recover. Arkansas stands strong. I know we will come back from this.”

The Major Disaster Declaration provides Arkansas with the following federal assistance:

– Individual assistance and public assistance categories A and B for Cross, Lonoke, and Pulaski Counties
– Direct federal assistance
– Hazard Mitigation statewide

Additionally, FEMA also announced Biden’s approval for Arkansas. In a press release, FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Arkansas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes on March 31, 2023.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski counties. FEMA’s Individual Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Roland W. Jackson has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.

(UPDATED 11:45 a.m., Apr. 3, 2023)

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today launched helparkansas.com, a one-stop website for tornado recovery resources. This website includes information on federal, state, local, and charitable resources for tornado victims, as well as volunteer and charity opportunities for Arkansans seeking to help.

“Now that Arkansas is getting federal, state, local, and nonprofit assistance, we need a one-stop website where storm victims can find the resources available for their recovery. My administration just launched helparkansas.com to offer that information in one easy place,” said Governor Sanders. “Tornado victims will be able to find the assistance they need, and those looking to help will find a way to volunteer or donate. We will continuously update this site as information changes.”

Visit helparkansas.com for more information.

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Ethan Nahté

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