Arkansas – The State of Arkansas has received a denial from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Individual Assistance in connection with the severe storms and tornadoes that struck the region on March 14, 2025.
The decision was made public on Friday, April 11, prompting state leaders to begin the appeal process.
According to a statement from the Governor’s Office, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is working closely with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management to compile the necessary documentation to challenge FEMA’s decision. Under federal guidelines, the state has 30 days from the date of the denial to file an official appeal.
While the request for IA has been denied, the state’s application for Public Assistance (PA) related to the same weather event remains under review by federal authorities. Public Assistance would support the restoration of public infrastructure and facilities impacted by the storms.
In addition to ongoing efforts surrounding the March 14 event, joint damage assessments involving local, state, and federal teams are currently underway for the more recent storms and flooding that began on April 2. These assessments are expected to continue through the end of April.
Once the assessments are completed and all relevant data has been compiled, Arkansas officials plan to submit a formal request to the White House for a Major Disaster Declaration. Such a declaration would open the door for additional federal resources and financial aid for communities still recovering from the impact of the recent storms.
State officials have emphasized the importance of documenting all storm-related damage, encouraging residents and local governments to maintain detailed records and photos of the destruction as part of the assessment process.