LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden to support ongoing recovery efforts in communities impacted by the severe winter weather in January and February of this year, which caused power outages, damage to infrastructure, and deaths. 
 
“Today, I submitted a formal request to President Biden to secure a Major Disaster Declaration to support communities across the state of Arkansas impacted by the winter storms earlier this year. The sheer magnitude of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, caused extensive power outages, and resulted in the death of two Arkansans and the injury of many others. We have determined that these storms are of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary. Thirteen hard-hit Arkansas counties have sustained significant damage to infrastructure, businesses, agriculture, and property – and we must provide these Arkansans with the assistance they need to fully recover.”
 
With the damage assessment process now complete, Governor Sanders is specifically requesting:

• Public assistance for Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Nevada, Ouachita, Searcy, and Stone Counties

• Hazard Mitigation statewide