Fort Smith, Ark. – According to the state officials, President Donald J. Trump has approved Arkansas’ request for an Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance, as Arkansas continues responding to severe winter weather that began Jan. 23, 2026.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the declaration will help the state expand its capacity to support residents affected by the ongoing storm. In a statement, the governor thanked President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem for their work preparing the state ahead of the weather event.
“All of Arkansas is grateful to President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem for their work to prepare our state for this weekend’s severe winter weather,” Governor Sanders said. “We have already deployed state resources around Arkansas and with this additional federal support, we’ll have greater capacity to assist Arkansans in need.”
The federal assistance approved for Arkansas includes Category A and Category B support, limited to Direct Federal Assistance, and will be available statewide. The state said the declaration is intended to help with response efforts as conditions continue to improve.