Arkansas Governor Beebe Request Federal Major Disaster Declaration For Last Week's Tornadoes

Apr 14, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe this afternoon sent a letter to President Obama asking him to declare a major disaster in Miller, Polk and Sevier Counties in response to last Thursday's tornadoes. The declaration would provide financial assistance for storm victims, as well as temporary housing, disaster unemployment insurance, crisis counseling, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.

Assessment teams tallied 659 damaged homes in the three counties, including 157 homes destroyed. Another 140 homes suffered major damage.

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Teams from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management continue to assess the extent of storm damage to public infrastructure. That work may lead to an additional request for public assistance.

Source: Arkansas Governor