Yellville, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has issued an executive order formally declaring Marion and Searcy counties as disaster areas following severe storms and flooding on July 17, 2024. The storms caused significant danger, hardship, and widespread suffering for residents, necessitating state-level intervention to aid recovery efforts.
Impact on Citizens and Public Properties
The extreme weather brought considerable challenges to affected communities, including damage to public properties and disruption of daily life. The declaration acknowledges the “adverse circumstances” that have impacted the well-being of citizens and the functionality of local infrastructure.
This executive action provides the legal framework for supplemental assistance from the state government, aiming to support these counties in recovering from the severe losses caused by the storms.
Governor’s Statement and Action
In the official declaration, Governor Sanders stated, “On July 17, 2024, severe storms and flooding occurred in Arkansas and caused dangers, hardships, and suffering throughout the state, which in turn, warrant this executive action.”
Acting under the authority granted to her by Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 12-75-101, the Governor officially recognized the scale of the disaster and the urgent need for state intervention.
The executive order, issued on November 27, 2024, underscores the state’s commitment to aiding its affected communities and coordinating resources to address the challenges posed by the disaster.
The declaration serves as a crucial step in ensuring that Marion and Searcy counties receive the necessary resources and support to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by the July storms.
