Sanders declares disaster in response to May tornado in Garland County
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a disaster in response to at least one EF2 tornado and severe weather that swept through Garland County in May. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a disaster in response to a May tornado and severe weather in Garland County, Arkansas. The declaration authorizes Public Assistance disaster relief for the county, which is meant to assist local and state governments located in a designated disaster area. The assistance is open to eligible applicants and facilities for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure. The state's share of expenses related to the public assistance in the county cannot exceed 35% of eligible costs. This comes after President Joe Biden approved a declaration of a major disaster for Benton, Boone and Marion counties due to tornadoes. The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management reported 10 deaths related to these storms.
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Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a disaster in response to at least one EF2 tornado and severe weather that swept through Garland County in May.
Sanders' disaster declaration, which authorizes Public Assistance disaster relief for Garland County, was announced Tuesday. Such assistance is meant to "fill the gap between local recovery efforts and federal disaster assistance following a disaster situation," and is open to local and state governments located in a designated disaster area, according to the state Division of Emergency Management website.
The program provides assistance to eligible applicants and facilities for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the permanent restoration of infrastructure.
The May 8 tornado crossed through southeast Garland County, causing damage to homes and businesses, as well as downing power lines. Debris left by the storm was consistent with damage caused by 111 to 135 mph winds of a tornado rated EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the weather service has said. The scale ranks storms from EF0 to EF5 by wind speed and damage.
Although the debris path spanned Lake Hamilton east to the 3000 block of Malvern Avenue, no significant injuries were reported.
The state's share of expenses related to the public assistance in Garland County cannot exceed 35% of eligible costs, according to the Division of Emergency Management. The state also cannot provide such aid until the issue "has clearly exceeded the capability of local government," according to the division.
Sanders' disaster declaration comes about two weeks after President Joe Biden approved a declaration of a major disaster for Benton, Boone and Marion counties in response to tornadoes there just before Memorial Day. The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management reported 10 deaths directly or indirectly related to the storms.
On average, 37 tornadoes spawn each year in Arkansas, according to the weather service. At least 32 tornadoes have spawned in the state this year, up from 30 throughout 2023.
Konular: DNC, Tornadoes