Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed a new executive order that releases additional state funding to support Arkansas communities still recovering from severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that struck the state in March 2024. The order amends a previous disaster proclamation and allows more financial assistance to be directed toward recovery efforts in affected areas.
The action, identified as EO 26-06, modifies Proclamation DR 24-03 and authorizes funding from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund. State officials say the order ensures that communities dealing with the lasting effects of the destructive weather will receive additional support to continue rebuilding and restoring damaged public property.
The executive order references the serious weather event that began in mid-March 2024, when storms moved across Arkansas and created dangerous conditions for residents. According to the order, On March 14, 2024, severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding began and continued with such severity that executive action was warranted to alleviate hardship and suffering.
These storms caused significant damage across several areas of the state. Local governments and emergency officials were forced to respond quickly as flooding and high winds affected homes, infrastructure, and public property. The executive order also explains that adverse circumstances were brought to bear upon citizens and public properties throughout Arkansas as communities struggled with the impact of the disaster.
Additional Funding Approved for Recovery Efforts
In response to the ongoing recovery needs, Governor Sanders authorized the release of additional financial assistance through the amendment to the earlier disaster proclamation. The order provides $118,070.95 from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund under the state’s Public Assistance Program.
The funds are intended to help affected communities cover costs connected to disaster response and rebuilding. The executive order states that the funding will be used at the discretion of the Director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management to defray both program and administrative costs. This means the agency responsible for managing emergency response efforts will determine how the funds are allocated to support recovery work.
State officials say the additional assistance is necessary because several political subdivisions across Arkansas continue to face challenges following the storms. Local governments have been working to repair damaged infrastructure and restore services while also managing the financial burden created by the disaster.
The executive order highlights that affected political subdivisions require supplemental assistance from the state to recover from the losses caused by the storms. By approving this funding, the governor aims to provide continued help as communities move forward with rebuilding efforts.
Governor Sanders formally signed the executive order on March 5, 2026, confirming the authorization of the funds and the amendment to the earlier disaster declaration.
State leaders say the funding will play an important role in helping communities stabilize and recover after the destructive storms that impacted Arkansas in March 2024. The additional support is expected to assist local governments as they continue restoring damaged public property and addressing the long-term effects of the disaster.
