LITTLE ROCK, AR - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appealed FEMA’s decision to deny Arkansas’ Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance and the request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. The severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on March 14 and 15, 2025, produced catastrophic impacts across the state. The full letter can be found here.

“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 following counties were included in the original request: Baxter, Stone/Sharp, Hempstead, Independence/Randolph, Sharp/Randolph, Nevada, Independence/Jackson, Randolph/Clay, Woodruff, Clay, and Greene counties.

Governor Sanders requested the Major Disaster Declaration relief on April 2, 2025. On April 18, 2025, Governor Sanders requested a 30-day extension of time.