Little Rock, Arkansas – In an effort to secure much-needed federal assistance for communities devastated by recent storms, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has formally appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny Arkansas’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration for both Individual and Public Assistance. The appeal follows the March 14–15, 2025 severe weather event that brought destructive tornadoes and storms across several parts of the state.
Communities Still Struggling to Recover
“Arkansas communities are still recovering from this spring’s tornadoes, as 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,” said Governor Sanders. “To relieve the burden on these counties, cities, and towns, I am appealing FEMA’s decision to deny Arkansas’ Major Disaster Declaration request.”
The appeal includes the same counties listed in the original request submitted on April 2, 2025. These areas include Baxter, Stone/Sharp, Hempstead, Independence/Randolph, Sharp/Randolph, Nevada, Independence/Jackson, Randolph/Clay, Woodruff, Clay, and Greene counties. All of these regions experienced either direct tornado impacts or severe storm-related damage, leading to significant destruction and displacement.
State Seeking Relief for Residents and Local Governments
Governor Sanders’ appeal also includes a request for a 30-day extension to allow time for FEMA to reconsider the scope of the storm’s impact. The original declaration request sought assistance to cover damages to individual homes and public infrastructure and to help reimburse emergency response efforts that exceeded local capacity.
With local governments and emergency services strained by recovery efforts, the state continues to push for federal aid that could support rebuilding and help affected families get back on their feet. The governor’s office released the full appeal letter, detailing the scale of the destruction and the urgency of federal support.
FEMA has not yet responded to the appeal.
