Governor Sanders signs an executive order to provide additional relief in regards to tax filing and payment deadlines in response to the May 24th storms in Arkansas

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS: 

E.O. 24-11: EXECUTIVE ORDER TO AMEND E.O. 24-09 AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RELIEF IN REGARD TO TAX FILING AND PAYMENT DEADLINES IN RESPONSE TO SEVERE STORMS ON OR ABOUT MAY 24, 2024. 

Wikimedia Image

WHEREAS: On or about May 24, 2024, and continuing, severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes began in Arkansas, causing danger, hardship, and suffering which now warrants this executive action; 

WHEREAS: On May 26, 2024, by Executive Order 24-07, a regional emergency was declared in the state as a result of the severe weather outbreak, pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, codified at Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-75-101, et. seq; 

WHEREAS: Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505 authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration to grant a reasonable extension of time to file any return required under any state tax law upon written request for good cause shown. Good cause includes when any taxpayer is affected by a disaster emergency declared by the Governor; 

WHEREAS: Ark. Code Ann. § 12-75-114(e)(1) authorizes the Governor to suspend any regulatory statutes if compliance with those statutes would delay action in coping with the declared emergency; 

WHEREAS: On May 30, 2024, by Executive Order 24-09, relief was extended to affected citizens in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties by extending certain tax payment deadlines; and 

WHEREAS: There is good cause for additional relief to be extended to Arkansans residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties as a result of the ongoing emergency. 

NOW THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas and pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-75-101, et seq., issue this Executive Order pursuant to the regional emergency as declared in Executive Order 24-07, and order the following: 

1. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the 2023 income tax filing date and income tax payment date and 2023 pass-through entity tax filing date and pass-through entity tax payment date for returns that are due between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024, to November 1, 2024, for those citizens and businesses residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties. This extension includes 2023 returns of Individuals, Subchapter S Corporations, Subchapter C Corporations, Pass-Through Entities, Fiduciaries and Estates, Partnerships, and Composite returns; 

2. Individuals and entities in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties will have until November 1, 2024, to file income tax and pass-through entity returns and pay income and pass through entity taxes that were originally due between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024; 

3. This relief includes return and extension payments due between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024; 

4. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the deadline under Ark. Code Ann. § 26-51-913(a)(2) to make a quarterly estimated income tax payment from between May 24, 2024, and October 31, 2024, for those citizens and businesses located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties to November 1, 2024; 

5. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505(a)(1) requiring a written request for an extension to file an individual income tax return are hereby waived through November 1, 2024, for citizens who reside or whose businesses are located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties; 

6. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505(a)(3) limiting an extension for filing an individual income tax return to no more than 180 days is hereby waived through November 1, 2024, for citizens who reside or whose businesses are located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties; and 

7. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-505(a)(4) requiring the promulgation of rules to waive the requirement for a written request for an extension are hereby waived through November 1, 2024. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed on this 15th day of July, in the year of our Lord 2024.

Severe weather risk for Arkansas Thursday and Friday

A strong storm system is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms to the state Thursday through Friday night. Some of these storms could become strong to severe. In addition to the threat for severe weather, there is also a threat for flooding due to the expected heavy rainfall. Please see the attached briefing for more details.

There is a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorm late on Thursday into early Friday, along and mainly north of our I-30 corridor. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats and locally heavy rainfall could bring isolated flash flooding.

Locally heavy rainfall from a line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms, could result in isolated flash flooding late Thursday into early Friday with the Slight Risk north of our I-30 corridor.

There is a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorm late on Thursday into early Friday, along and mainly north of our I-30 corridor. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats and locally heavy rainfall could bring isolated flash flooding.

Locally heavy rainfall from a line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms, could result in isolated flash flooding late Thursday into early Friday with the Slight Risk north of our I-30 corridor.

A line of strong to severe storms will continue across the area during early Friday with afternoon heating firing up a Slight Risk for severe storms in deep E TX, all of our Parishes and south central AR during the afternoon. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats and locally heavy rainfall could bring isolated flash flooding.

As rainfall patterns become more extreme, pasture managers will need to become increasingly proactive

By the U of A System Division of Agriculture 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Average temperatures in Arkansas have risen about 0.5 degrees over the past two decades, according to the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies. One result of this has been more extreme patterns of rainfall and drought. Dirk Philipp, associate professor of forage agronomy for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said these changes in rainfall patterns typically have a variety of effects — particularly on agriculture.

DELUGED — Heavy rainfall can take a toll on pastures not equipped to manage runoff. (Image courtesy Dirk Philipp.)

Based on current climate and weather patterns, Philipp said, these weather extremes may include increased rainfall intensity and extended periods of both higher and lower rain frequency, leading to flooding and drought, respectively — and these changes in rainfall patterns typically have a variety of effects.

“For example, increased intensity means the rain has a higher impact on soil, which equates to higher erosion potential,” he said. “There’s a higher potential for runoff and dislodging soil particles.”

Philipp said changes in rainfall patterns may also lead to decreased rainwater infiltration rates, meaning the soil itself will retain less moisture and aquifers will be slower to recharge. And because evaporation rates are high in the southeastern United States, droughty periods will be relatively more severe for plants in that region than in higher latitudes where incoming solar rays are less powerful.

“Changing rainfall patterns also have biological effects,” Philipp said. “Planting times are affected, because fields may be wetter or drier than in the past during the usual planting times.”

All of this will put stress on existing forage stands and will have implications for establishing new stands as well, Philipp said. To make pastures more resilient in the long term, he has several key suggestions.

“Buffer strips in strategic locations go a long way in capturing runoff and helping to infiltrate it into the soil,” he said. “Extended riparian areas will also achieve that. Buffers around 50-100 feet wide can be grazed, as well.”

Philipp said pasture managers should be conscious of the topography of their land, and should consider reforesting areas that were likely covered in woodlands before farming.

“This doesn’t have to cover a lot of area, but if you can set aside a few acres, that will go a long way of keeping as much rainfall on your land as possible,” he said.

Strategic choices
Philipp said producers should be strategic with their choice of forages, making their lands more resilient and lowering their economic risks.

“For example, native perennial warm season grasses are drought resistant,” he said. “Plant them in areas that may get more affected by drought. Eastern gamagrass works well for wetter areas and is readily grazed by cattle. Placing cool season perennial forages, such as fescue or orchardgrass, alongside riparian zones will provide forage for spring and fall while decelerating runoff.”

Riparian zones are where land and lakes or streams meet.

Finally, Philipp said that whatever choices producers make initially, it’s important to remain flexible and realize they will need to further adapt over time. This can mean keeping more residual forage after a grazing event, avoiding prolonged stocking in late winter on cool season pastures and more.

“Calculate your forage needs for summer grazing, and plan long-term for planting more areas in warm season annual and perennial forages,” he said.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Severe Weather to affect Arkansas Wednesday and Thursday

An active weather pattern is underway with the first round of severe weather expected this afternoon through tonight. An additional round of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms are expected Thursday afternoon through the early morning hours on Friday. Severe weather types include damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes.

The threat for flash flooding will increase across the central and northern portions of the state over the next few days.

Please see the attached briefing for more details.

National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR

Severe Weather/Heavy Rain Briefing from the National Weather Service

Click on pic above for NWS Weather Briefing 03/21/22 PDF

Estimate: Flood Damage To Arkansas Crops More Than $200 Million

By RYAN MCGEENEY/ UA DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE

Farmers in five counties in southeastern Arkansas suffered more than $200 million in direct losses to major crops after the major flooding and storm event in early June, according to a preliminary estimate by experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

John Anderson, economist with the Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, delivered the initial estimate during a flood recovery meeting held Monday evening at the Dumas Community Center. He was one of about a dozen experts with the Division of Agriculture presenting crop-specific information and answering questions from the approximately 175 in-person and virtual attendees.

The town of Dumas, and the nearby Division of Agriculture research station at Rohwer, are at the emotional — if not quite geographical — center of the flooding event, during which more than 19 inches of rainfall was recorded in a 48-hour period. The five counties included in the damage estimate include Desha, home to both Dumas and Rohwer, Lonoke, Prairie, Jefferson and Drew counties. The estimate did not include Chicot County, the southeasternmost county in the state, although it will likely be impacted as floodwaters continue to drain southward from Desha County on their way to the Mississippi River.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/estimate-flood-damage-arkansas-crops-more-200-million

Growers at a meeting Monday evening where officials estimated that flooding earlier this month in southeast Arkansas caused more than $200 million in damage to crops.

CREDIT UA DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE

VIDEOS: Flood Warning Extended Through the Weekend for Little River

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...

  Little River At Horatio affecting McCurtain, Sevier, Little River
  and Howard Counties.

...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...

  Little River Near Idabel affecting McCurtain, Sevier and Little
  River Counties.

ARC061-081-133-OKC089-121415-
/O.EXT.KSHV.FL.W.0126.000000T0000Z-210613T0532Z/
/HRGA4.3.ER.210608T2102Z.210610T1945Z.210612T1132Z.NO/
904 AM CDT Fri Jun 11 2021

...The Flood Warning is now in effect until early Sunday morning...

The Flood Warning continues for
  the Little River At Horatio.
* Until late Saturday night.
* At 8:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 30.4 feet.
* Flood stage is 27 feet.
* Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast.
* Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending
  at 8:00 AM CDT Friday was 30.9 feet.
* Forecast...The Little River at Horatio is expected to fall below
  flood stage Saturday morning and continue falling to 16.7 feet
  Wednesday morning.
* Impact...Flooding to diminish and end through Saturday.

Governor Hutchinson Declares Emergency in Response to Southeast Arkansas Flooding

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared a state of emergency in response to recent flooding in southeast Arkansas. This declaration comes after over a foot of rain fell on some communities in a 24-hour period.

"After discussions with community members, local leaders, and the Division of Emergency Management, it quickly became clear that assistance is needed," Governor Hutchinson said on Thursday. "Business owners, farmers, and everyone in the area are feeling the impact of this weather event, and we're moving quickly to help however we can."

The declaration will direct $100,000 from the Emergency Response Fund of the Governor's Disaster Fund to be used at the discretion of the Director of the Division of Emergency Management.

The Governor plans to visit Dumas Friday morning to assess the damage and needs of affected communities. 

VIDEO: Flooded Roads in SW Arkansas

Slight traffic delay Tuesday afternoon, 06/08, on the east side of De Queen as the ARDOT manages a single lane of vehicles through the overflowing waters of Bear Creek along the Old Lockesburg Highway near the hatchery.

Major Flooding for Little River in SW Arkansas and SE Oklahoma

Record flooding of tens of thousands of acres throughout much of Little River and Sevier counties of Arkansas.

Serious flooding of several thousands of acres of grazing and farming land will take place. The Kansas City Southern Railroad bed will be flooded both northwest and southeast of the Highway 41 bridge. Several secondary roadways will be cutoff in the area. Also expect severe backwater flooding on the Cossatot and Rolling Fork Rivers at and upstream from their confluences with the Little River.

The golf course west of Horatio, Arkansas floods. Also, ranchers should evacuate cattle and farm machinery to higher ground and have preparations complete for a major flood. Expect considerable lowland flooding of several hundred acres of grazing and farming land. Expect major backwater flooding of small tributaries at their confluence with the Little River such as the Cossatot and the Rolling Fork Rivers.

The boat ramp recreation area at Wilton, Arkansas downstream from Horatio is flooded and closed. Also, the golf course west of Horatio, Arkansas suffers from overflow.

The golf course west of Horatio is cut off from vehicle traffic by floodwaters. A few hundred acres of lowland flood both upstream and downstream from the Highway 41 bridge.

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following river in
Oklahoma...Arkansas...

  Little River Near Idabel affecting McCurtain, Sevier and Little
  River Counties.

...The Flood Warning continues for the following river in Oklahoma...
Arkansas...

  Little River At Horatio affecting McCurtain, Sevier, Little River
  and Howard Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not drive cars through flooded areas.
Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All
interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.


917 AM CDT Wed Jun 9 2021

...The Flood Warning is now in effect until Friday afternoon...

The Flood Warning continues for
  the Little River Near Idabel.
* Until Friday afternoon.
* At 8:30 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 35.2 feet.
* Flood stage is 30 feet.
* Major flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast.
* Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending
  at 8:30 AM CDT Wednesday was 35.3 feet.
* Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage late
  Thursday evening and continue falling to 14.3 feet Monday morning.
* Impact...At 34 feet, Farmers and ranchers should have preparations
  completed for a major flood with all cattle and farm machinery
  evacuated. Thousands of acres of lowland in the Little River flood
  plain will be flooded and several secondary roads and bridges will
  be cut off.  Move livestock and equipment to higher ground.

Wet Spring Brings Plethora Of Complications For Arkansas' Agriculture

By SARAH KELLOGG

A rainier than average spring in Arkansas brought multiple complications to the state’s agriculture industry, some of which could have longer term implications later in the year.

Data from the National Weather Service’s Precipitation Plot shows that in mid-May, much of Arkansas, particularly western Arkansas, frequently accumulated at least a half inch of rain in a 24-hour period over multiple days. 

According to Amanda McWhirt, an extension specialist working on fruit and vegetable production for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension, the wet weather could have an impact on the state’s strawberry crop, which growers were in the process of harvesting when the rain begain in earnest.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/wet-spring-brings-plethora-complications-arkansas-agriculture

File Photo.

CREDIT CREATIVE COMMONS

Area Lakes and Rivers Up Substantially Because of Recent Rains

Areas of flooding in photos were at Pine Ridge and Story Creek on De Queen Lake. Be watchful of floating debris if boating. (photos by Jon Bunyard)