Here’s what happened.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is fighting back after the Trump administration’s FEMA denied critical federal disaster assistance following a series of deadly tornadoes and historic flooding across the state. In one of the worst weather events Arkansas has seen in decades, communities are left devastated — and local leaders are demanding action.
In mid-March, powerful EF-3 tornadoes ripped through dozens of counties, killing three Arkansans and destroying homes, small businesses, and public infrastructure. Just weeks later, the same regions were slammed by catastrophic flooding, adding to the devastation and leaving rural families reeling. The total estimated damage is over $8.8 million, and the full toll is still being assessed.
Governor Sanders initially requested Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help residents cover temporary housing, repairs, and medical expenses. But in a move many are calling “unacceptable,” FEMA denied that request. Now, Gov. Sanders is formally appealing the decision, backed by the full Arkansas congressional delegation, including both Senators and all four Representatives.
In a signed letter to President Donald Trump, Arkansas lawmakers wrote:
“The damage across our state is extensive and ongoing. This is not a time for bureaucratic red tape — it’s a time for leadership.”
They added that the combination of back-to-back disasters has created a “generational crisis” in dozens of Arkansas communities.
Arkansas Conservatives Stand Strong
Governor Sanders, a strong conservative leader and daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, emphasized the urgency of recovery efforts in her letter to President Trump:
“I am formally appealing FEMA’s denial. The people of Arkansas are suffering. Federal support is crucial to help these hardworking families rebuild their lives.”
The disaster declaration process has become increasingly political, especially as President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have called out FEMA’s inefficiency and bloated bureaucracy. Secretary Noem has publicly stated her intention to dismantle FEMA, a move President Trump has praised as “common sense reform.”
In January, Trump announced plans to overhaul or eliminate FEMA entirely, citing years of mismanagement, delays, and a lack of accountability. Many conservative voters — especially older Americans who value limited government and state-led disaster response — see this as a welcome shift.
What’s Next for Arkansas?
With 63 of Arkansas’s 75 counties impacted, state officials are requesting a 30-day extension to complete a thorough damage assessment and submit a full federal disaster declaration. The goal is to ensure FEMA cannot ignore the scale of destruction and the need for emergency recovery funding.
The entire Arkansas delegation remains united in support of Gov. Sanders and is committed to pressuring the administration to act swiftly.
“We stand ready to assist the President and his team in evaluating this appeal and delivering relief to the people of Arkansas,” lawmakers wrote.
For residents of rural Arkansas — many of whom are retirees, veterans, and fixed-income families — this disaster has been devastating. But their leadership is standing firm, and their voices are being heard in Washington.