Economic impact of Arkansas timber damage from May tornadoes estimated at $89 million

By Traci Rushing
Arkansas Center for Forest Business
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

MONTICELLO, Ark. — In May Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in our state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS — In May Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in our state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported a record number of 17 tornadoes recorded across Arkansas on May 26 with one tornado having a path width of nearly 2 miles in Benton County. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry estimated the tornadoes destroyed $18.4 million worth of timber over 12,400 acres in Benton, Madison, Marion, Baxter and Fulton counties. Given these numbers, the Arkansas Center for Forest Business conducted an analysis of the full economic impact of this timber loss, which totaled $89 million. This estimate includes the cost of hazard reduction, loss in labor due to timber not being harvested, carbon storage loss, and losses of both local and state tax revenues.

To support landowners in this area, the Arkansas Center for Forest Business prepared and reported the economic losses experienced in the five northern counties. Data was shared with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry which led to the Division requesting financial support from Farm Service Agencies to assist landowners in the area.

“The Arkansas Center for Forest Business assists landowners with strategic planning and provides economic values to the Arkansas Agricultural Department Forestry Division and the Arkansas Forestry Association as needed to support in policymakers’ decision-making to coordinate disaster funding,” said Dr. Shaun Tanger, Associate Professor of Forest Policy and Trade at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.

While the economic impact on the surrounding communities is devastating, the environmental impact of not properly caring for the fallen timber could be detrimental to the ecosystem. According to Dr. Matthew Pelkki, Director of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business and Professor at the UAM CFANR, these lands are very susceptible to seeing an infestation of negative pests and fire hazards.

“The potential is that the chemicals released from a dead or recently killed tree are going to attract insects, which in a natural scenario is not necessarily a bad thing. However, in this scenario, there is a potential to draw in populations of insects that are detrimental to our forest,” said Pelkki. “Insects such as bark beetles and red oak borers could thrive in the fallen timber and then start affecting living trees around the area. Then, there is also a fire hazard. We have a lot of dead, down material that will dry out and create a fire hazard.”

The Arkansas Center for Forest Business encourages landowners to be proactive with land management efforts.

“It is important that Arkansas’ forest landowners work with foresters to manage their forests for greater resiliency to insects, diseases, and climate events and one of the tools for that is timber harvesting,” added Pelkki.

Inquiries about financial assistance from Farm Service Agencies for landowners from the affected region can be directed to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry. The Arkansas Center for Forest Business is also available to provide landowners with valuable information and connections to assist with land management. More information about the Arkansas Center for Forest Business can be found on their website.

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.

Mayor says Little Rock tornado cleanup could cost $10 million

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Crews continue to survey and clear the streets of Little Rock just over a month after an EF-3 tornado ripped through parts of the city.

City contractors have worked since mid-April to remove fallen trees and vegetation from some of the hardest-hit areas of west Little Rock. Work began this week to haul away rubble and scrap from damaged buildings.

In a briefing Tuesday at Little Rock City Hall, Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said it could take two to three months for the city to complete the debris removal process. But, he says, the overall recovery could last as long as two years.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-05-03/mayor-says-little-rock-tornado-cleanup-could-cost-10-million

Tornado debris collection to begin in Little Rock; 3,000 buildings damaged

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Little Rock city officials say last month’s tornado left roughly 3,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said he and city officials will hold bi-weekly briefings to update residents on cleanup efforts. Speaking at City Hall on Friday, Little Rock Emergency Management Administrator Matt Burks said the total price tag of the storm damage is still unclear.

“All told, we’ve currently identified 89 structures, mostly residential, completely destroyed; 496 having received major damage, 636 with minor damage, 203 that were affected in some way by the storm, and 76 unaffected,” Burks said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-14/tornado-debris-collection-to-begin-in-little-rock-3-000-buildings-damaged

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. speaks in a news briefing at City Hall on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Arkansas faces another round of severe weather; Little Rock begins cleanup

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Less than a week after parts of central Arkansas were devastated by a tornado outbreak, more severe weather could be on the way.

An EF-3 tornado last Friday tore through a roughly 30 mile stretch of central Arkansas, causing damage and one death in North Little Rock. Later Friday, four people were killed in the Cross County town of Wynne when a tornado touched down there.

Now, forecasters say heavy rain is possible for much of the state Tuesday evening, as well as high winds, large hail and an increased risk of more tornadoes. Meteorologist Travis Shelton with the National Weather Service says the greatest risk for severe weather will come later Tuesday.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-04-04/arkansas-faces-another-round-of-severe-weather-little-rock-begins-cleanup

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

A sign sits atop fallen tree limbs in front of a home on Tarrytown Road in west Little Rock Sunday morning.

After the tornado: What to do about insurance, documents, taxes

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — One of the most difficult parts of disaster recovery is managing the paperwork that follows.

Damage done to a business in Little Rock during the March 31, 2023, tornado. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo)

Laura Hendrix, an extension personal finance expert for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers this checklist to those trying to figure out what they need to do:

• Contact your insurance agent — “One of the first things for people with losses or damage is to contact their insurance agent,” she said. “Procedures will vary by company and policy.”

• Taxes — The tax filing deadline this year is Monday, April 18. Even as you navigate this disaster, “taxpayers can file for an extension,” Hendrix said. “Any losses would fall under next year’s taxes.” The Internal Revenue Service has a page dedicated to taxes and disasters.

• Replacing lost papers — “Documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies and health records may be lost or destroyed,” she said. “Prompt replacement prevents delays when the documents are needed.”

• Insurance Policy — Contact your insurance agency for a copy of your policy. If you have any trouble locating the company, contact the Arkansas Department of Insurance at 501-371-2600 or .

• Social Security Card — Order a replacement social security card online at gov/myaccount or visit your nearest Social Security office.

• Driver’s License — To replace a driver’s license, visit your local revenue office.

• Property Deeds — Contact your local Circuit Clerk’s office for property deeds.

• Passport — Visit your local Postal Service office for a new passport.

• Birth certificate, death, marriage, and divorce certificates — Visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s websites for Certificates & Records or Vital Records.

The American Red Cross also advises victims of natural disasters to:

• Stop unnecessary expenses — For example, if your home is uninhabitable, notify the utility company and other service companies, such as phone, internet and cable companies, so they can stop billing immediately.

• Assess your funds — Estimate the amount of income and emergency savings you have to pay bills while you recover from the disaster, then prioritize your bills. Paying your insurance premiums and rent or mortgage should be your top priority.

• Talk to your creditors — Ask creditors for more time to pay. Most creditors will be willing to work with you, especially if you notify them before a payment is due.

Find additional information from Hendrix:

• Managing Financial Losses from a Disaster

• Replacing Valuable Documents After a Disaster

Find other disaster recovery information:

• Planning for Food after a Disaster

Beware disaster scammers

Immediately after Friday’s storms, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said, “Unfortunately, unscrupulous people will already be preying upon our neighbors with offers of quick repair jobs. Arkansans should call their insurance company first and not be pressured into paying a quick deposit to a person who will take off with their money just as quickly.”

Griffin said that insurers will honor their policies and “there is no need to rush or be pressured to sign a contracting agreement.”

Without time pressure, Arkansans should:

• Obtain more than one estimate.

• Demand references from contractors and check them.

• Never let a contractor pressure you into hiring them.

• Never sign a contract with blanks “to be filled in later.”

• Never pay a contractor in full until the work is finished.

• Never let a contractor discourage you from contacting your insurance company.

• Be sure you review and understand all documents sent to your insurance company.

Arkansans who want to report concerns can contact the attorney general’s office at 800-482-8982.

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.

Rare ‘tornado emergency’ issued near Little Rock, Arkansas

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and digital journalist

A life-threatening situation was unfolding around Little Rock, Arkansas, with a rare tornado emergency being issued for the city and surrounding areas. “A large, extreme dangerous and potentially deadly tornado is on the ground,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Meteorologists at the NWS office in Little Rock took shelter during the emergency and temporarily transfered all operational duties to the office in Memphis, Tennessee, until the threat has ended. A tornado emergency is reserved for the most extreme situations when there is a significant risk of damage and a high likelihood of fatalities.

The first of many severe thunderstorm warnings was issued early Friday, and AccuWeather meteorologists say the threat of dangerous severe storms, including tornadoes, will last into early Saturday.

A large, fast-moving tornado roared through central Arkansas early Friday afternoon near the Little Rock area. Preliminary reports of damage to buildings and disruptions on highways have been reported in the wake of the twister. Power outages are also spiking in Pulaski County, the county in which Little Rock is located. Over 50,000 electric customers were without power, and rising, according to PowerOutage.us. A severe thunderstorm immediately proceeded the tornado-warned storm. Although the second storm did not spin up a tornado, it brought heavy rain, frequent lightning and gusty winds to areas that were hit by the tornado. There is no word on storm-related injuries.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/live-news/live-large-extremely-dangerous-tornado-tears-through-arkansas-amid-severe-weather-outbreak/1506174

The view of a tornado Friday afternoon in Little Rock, Arkansas, as seen from Colonel Glenn area of the city. (Tristan Acker)