Sanders Signs Executive Order to Provide Relief for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding on or About April 2, 2025

Scene of flooding in Arkansas, April 6-7, 2025. (Division of Agriculture image.)

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS:    
                      
EO 25-08: EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROVIDE RELIEF PURSUANT TO THE EMERGENCY DECLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-07. 

WHEREAS:​ On April 2, 2025, severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes began in Arkansas, and continue to cause danger, hardship, and suffering throughout the state; 

WHEREAS: Adverse circumstances have been brought to bear upon citizens and public properties within the State of Arkansas and certain political subdivisions require assistance from the state to recover from these losses;

WHEREAS: On April 2, 2025, by Executive Order 25-07, a state of emergency was declared in Arkansas 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. § 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: 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; and

WHEREAS: Strict compliance with certain statutes would hinder necessary action in coping with the emergency in the following affected counties:

Arkansas CountyAshley CountyBaxter CountyCalhoun CountyChicot CountyClark CountyClay CountyCleveland CountyColumbia CountyConway CountyCraighead CountyCrawford CountyCrittenden CountyCross CountyDallas CountyDesha CountyDrew CountyFaulkner CountyFranklin CountyFulton CountyGarland CountyGrant CountyGreene CountyHempstead CountyHot Spring CountyIndependence CountyIzard CountyJackson CountyJefferson CountyLafayette CountyLawrence CountyLee CountyLincoln CountyLittle River CountyLonoke CountyMarion CountyMiller CountyMississippi CountyMontgomery CountyNevada CountyNewton CountyOuachita CountyPerry CountyPhillips CountyPike CountyPoinsett CountyPolk CountyPope CountyPrairie CountyPulaski CountyRandolph CountySaline CountyScott CountySearcy CountySebastian CountySevier CountySharp CountySt Francis CountyStone CountyUnion CountyVan Buren CountyWhite CountyWoodruff County

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., and the state of emergency declared in Executive Order 25-07, do hereby order the following:

1. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the 2024 income tax filing date and income tax payment date and 2024 pass through entity tax filing date and pass-through entity tax payment date from April 15, 2025, to July 31, 2025, for those citizens who reside or whose businesses are located in the affected counties. This extension includes 2024 returns of Individuals, Subchapter S Corporations, C Corporations, Pass-Through Entities, Fiduciaries and Estates, Partnerships, and Composite returns.

2. Individuals and entities in the affected counties will have until July 31, 2025, to file income tax and pass-through entity returns and pay income and pass-through entity taxes that were originally due between April 2, 2025, and July 31, 2025.

3. This relief includes return and extension payments due between April 2, 2025, and July 31, 2025.

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 between April 2, 2025, and June 30, 2025, for those citizens and businesses located in the affected counties to July 31, 2025.

5. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the deadline under Ark. Code Ann. § 26-65-107(b)(1) to make a quarterly estimated pass-through entity tax payment between April 2, 2025, and June 30, 2025, for those citizens and businesses located in the affected counties to July 31, 2025.

6. 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 July 31, 2025, for citizens who reside or whose businesses are located in the affected counties.

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 July 31, 2025. 

8. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 27-16-805 and § 27-16-806 requiring payment of a fee for a duplicate driver’s license, instruction permit, or identification card are hereby waived for citizens who reside in the affected counties from the date of this order through July 31, 2025.

9. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 27-14-705(e) requiring payment of a $10.00 fee for expedited title processing service are hereby waived for affected citizens who reside in the affected counties from the date of this order through July 31, 2025.

10. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-18-508 and § 26-52-510(a)(4) assessing interest and penalty for failure to timely register a vehicle are hereby waived for citizens who reside in the affected counties from the date of this order through July 31, 2025.

11. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 27-14-1004(a) assessing penalty for failure to timely register a vehicle or renew a vehicle registration are hereby waived for citizens who reside in the affected counties from the date of this order through July 31, 2025.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed on this 11th day of April, in the year of our Lord 2025.

Farmers wait for high water to recede to reach cattle, assess damage to fields

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas farmers are waiting for floodwater to recede so they can get to stranded cattle and assess damage to infrastructure and newly planted crops a week after storms dropped more than a foot of rain.

The storms that swept the state April 2-6 produced tornadoes and heavy rain across Arkansas and much of the Mid-South. The National Weather Service reported that 8.75 inches fell in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In Little Rock, more than 5 inches fell in a matter of hours, triggering a rare flash flood warning for the area.

Scenes of flooding in Sharp and Fulton counties, April 6-7, 2025. (Division of Agriculture images.)

In the days after the rains subsided, rivers swelled over their banks, and many producers throughout the state found their fields saturated, if not underwater outright. The flooding has also closed numerous state and U.S. highways across Arkansas.

Scenes of flooding in Sharp and Fulton counties, April 6-7, 2025. (Division of Agriculture image.)

The severe weather arrived relatively early in the planting season for most Arkansas row crops. Nearly one-third of the state’s planned corn acres, however, was already in the ground as of April 6, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with 12 percent of plants emerged. Several extension agents, along with agronomists for the Division of Agriculture, acknowledged that some growers will likely need to replant those acres.

Stewart Runsick, Clay County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said nearly 100 percent of the county’s row crop acres were affected by flooding.

“Some places in the county received 15-19 inches of rainfall since Wednesday,” Runsick said. “The Big Slough Levee near Rector breached around 7 p.m. Saturday. Many county roads were washed out. Cache River ditch, Current River and Little Black River got out big, with major flooding around McDougal and Success.”

Traveling by boat

Jerrod Haynes, Woodruff County extension staff chair, said that the White River and the Cache River, both of which run through his county, as well as a number of large bayous, were “receiving runoff water from every direction.

“A lot of acres that have been planted are underwater, with some growers looking at potential replanting situation,” he said. “Rice fields that had levees in them before the rain will need to be repaired or rebuilt and re-seeded.”

Haynes said that many residents who live close to major rivers in the county required boats to get to and from their homes.

Affects to livestock

In the northcentral area of the state, Michael Paskewitz, Izard County staff chair, said residents in his county were seeing substantial damage to roads and bridges, exacerbated by flood water carrying debris from previous tornado and wind damage.

“Several cattle are dead due to a lightning strike,” he said. “Miles of fence are destroyed. Hayfields and pastures have been littered with trees and debris that must be removed before the grass overgrows them to prevent equipment damage during harvest. Sand and gravel deposits are also an issue along larger creeks and rivers in the county.”

Pasturelands in central and southwestern Arkansas weren’t spared, either. Rachel Bearden, Hot Spring County extension staff chair, said her area experienced historic flooding from the Ouachita River.

“Several livestock producers were unable to get to groups of cattle due to high water blocking roads,” she said.

Amy Simpson, Clark County staff chair, said nearly all farms in her county experienced flooding.

“Some still have rice under a foot of water and their fields are washed like a riverbank with debris and logs,” she said. “We still have some corn and soybeans under water as well.”

Jerri Dew, Lafayette County extension staff chair, said residents in her area experienced as much as 9 inches of rain, although many row crop fields seemed to drain quickly.

“Farmers are in a wait-and-see mode to assess damage,” she said. “All the cattle seem to be accounted for. There is one herd stranded on a 200-acre island, but they are OK. We are watching Lake Texoma and what the runoff will do up there.”

According to the March 31 Prospective Plantings Report from USDA, Arkansas growers planned to plant more than 7.1 million acres of principal crops in 2025. Extension agronomists with the Division of Agriculture began gathering data from extension agents across the state on April 7, seeking assessments of how much of that acreage will likely be affected by the recent storm damage, requiring replanting, tillage or other fieldwork.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X 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 X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

Serial storms in Arkansas ramp up residents’ anxiety, create flooding and danger

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Willadean Hergott of Jonesboro clutched a stuffed toy monkey while sitting in the Craighead County safe room in Jonesboro Friday evening and waited for the next round of storms.

“I don’t like tornadoes. I don’t like seeing what happened in Lake City,” she said, referring to a twister that smashed the western edge of the Craighead County town Wednesday evening with winds of 150 mph.

“You never know anymore where one will come up,” she said.

Hergott sat in a chair inside the shelter, which has a capacity for 600 people. She said she had the monkey for her grandchildren who would show up shortly.

Serial storms in Arkansas ramp up residents’ anxiety, create flooding and danger

National Weather Service Little Rock

The past several days of heavy rains engorged streams and rivers across Arkansas. This National Weather Service map forecasts flood stage at various points along major rivers

Severe weather (4/4) and continued heavy rainfall expected for much of Arkansas Friday - NWS/NOAA

The threat for severe weather continues for this Friday into Friday night. All modes of severe weather will be possible including very large hail, damaging winds and even a few tornadoes.

Specifics About Hazards (If Any): A warm front will lift northward into Arkansas today, eventually stalling out once again across the north-central and west-central sections of the state. Conditions along and south of the front will become very unstable by this afternoon as temperatures warm into the 80s. All modes of severe weather will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. A few long- track tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

There is a high risk for excessive rainfall today into tonight for a large portion of the state. Several inches of rainfall are possible, which may lead to flash and river flooding.

Thunderstorms will remain likely on Saturday into Saturday night, with strong to severe weather potential remaining. All modes of severe weather will be possible Saturday afternoon and evening, including large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. The highest threat for severe weather on Saturday will be across the southeastern two-thirds of the area.

Areas of heavy rainfall will continue on Saturday into Saturday night as well, with the threat for flash and river flooding continuing to remain a very significant hazard.

Expect the threat for heavy rainfall and severe weather to exit the region by Sunday afternoon. Some areas could see temperatures dropping into the low and mid 30s Sunday and Monday mornings. This may result in some frost or freeze conditions for some areas over northwestern portions of the state. Otherwise, the threat for hazardous weather will become low into the middle of next week.

Several inches of additional rainfall are expected through Sunday morning. Most areas could see an additional 4 to 6 inches, with some areas seeing potentially over 8 inches.

Spotter Activation (Day 1 - Friday/Friday Night): (More Widespread Severe Weather). Scattered to numerous severe storms are expected. The focus area includes much of Arkansas. You can help by monitoring and forwarding severe weather information. If there are strong to severe storms (i.e. wind damage, quarter size hail or larger, etc.) at your location, please consider submitting a report via an online form found here. Thank you for your assistance!

Western Arkansas targeted for Severe Weather Friday

...THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THE ARKLATEX INTO WESTERN ARKANSAS...

...SUMMARY...

Several clusters of strong to severe storms are possible from central Texas across the ArkLaTex and into the lower Ohio Valley Friday and Friday night. The greatest threat for tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds will be from the ArkLaTex across western Arkansas, including potential for strong to potentially intense tornadoes.

...Synopsis...

A mid-level trough, centered across the Southwest and northern New Mexico, will start to shift east on Friday. As this occurs a broad, strong low-level jet will develop across eastern Texas and into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. This strengthening lower tropospheric flow will aid in the northward advancement of a warm front, located from central Texas to the Mid-Mississippi Valley at the beginning of the period, to eastern Oklahoma an near the MO/AR border by 00Z Sat. This reorientation of the frontal boundary should be favorable for supercells with the potential for large hail (some 2+ inch), damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes (some potentially EF3+).

...ArkLatex to Western Arkansas...

As a warm front lifts north across Arkansas through the day, a very unstable environment (2500-4000 J/kg MLCAPE) will develop from the ArkLaTex into western Arkansas as temperatures warm into the mid 80s with dewpoints in the low 70s. Some weak convection may maintain along the frontal zone in eastern Oklahoma during the morning and early afternoon. However, more robust convective development is not anticipated until mid-afternoon when height falls start to overspread the region, and the influence of the entrance region of the upper-level jet increases ascent. In addition, most high resolution guidance indicates a local area of low pressure may traverse the frontal zone to near northwest Arkansas by 21Z. The combination of these factors, which have decent agreement among 12Z guidance, points toward multiple supercells along the frontal zone during the mid to late afternoon and into the evening. These supercells, in an environment featuring 2500-3500 J/kg MLCAPE and 0-1km SRH ~400 m2/s2, will support the potential for strong to intense tornadoes. Messy storm mode could limit the longevity of any of these supercells/tornadoes, but even with limited duration, the environment supports a tornado threat. A more conditional long-track tornado threat, which would also bring greater opportunity for EF3+ tornadoes, exists east of the frontal boundary. Synoptic forcing ahead of the boundary is relatively weak, but very strong instability (3000-4000 J/kg MLCAPE) is forecast with minimal inhibition across the warm sector. Therefore, more discrete, open warm-sector supercell development is possible, but will be more dependent on mesoscale details which will become more clear in the Day 1 timeframe.

Severe Weather Continues Thursday for Arkansas

• WHAT - Widespread Severe Weather and Excessive Rainfall. ○ Severe weather remains possible Thursday through Saturday across the majority of Arkansas. All modes of severe weather remain possible including a few tornadoes. ○ Extreme rainfall, with an additional 8 to 10 inches possible across parts of the state. This amount of rain is in addition to what has already fallen. Dangerous and potentially life threatening flash flooding and river flooding are expected.

• WHEN - Today through Saturday night. ○ Severe weather threat time frames: ■ (1) Thursday afternoon through Thursday night (all but far northwest and far southeast Arkansas) ■ (3) Friday afternoon through Friday night (all but far northwest and far southeast Arkansas) ■ (4) Saturday afternoon through Saturday night (southeast half of Arkansas) ○ Heavy rainfall and flash/river flooding threat Thursday through Saturday.

• WHERE - Most of the state will be at risk for severe weather and heavy rainfall through Saturday.

Attached is the latest weather briefing concerning this multi day severe weather and flooding event. In a nutshell, a large part of central Arkansas will be under an enhanced risk of severe weather Thursday and Friday with the threat area shifting south for Saturday.  All modes of severe weather will be possible.

Waves of heavy rain will impact the state through Saturday as several waves of low pressure interact with a stalled front. Parts of the state could see up to 10 inches of rain in addition to what fell on Wednesday.

Widespread and significant flash and river flooding are expected.

…….National Weather Service in Little Rock

Severe Weather Threat for Arkansas

• WHAT - Severe weather and heavy rainfall. ○ Very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes will be possible on Wednesday with additional chances of severe weather Thursday through Saturday. . ○ Extremely heavy rainfall, more than 10 inches possible. Dangerous and potentially life threatening flash flooding and river flooding are expected.

• WHEN - Today through Saturday night. ○ Severe weather threat timeframes: (1) Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night (entire state) (2) Thursday afternoon through Thursday night (all but far northwest Arkansas) (3) Friday afternoon through Friday night (all but far northwest and far southeast Arkansas) (4) Saturday afternoon through Saturday night (southeast half of Arkansas) ○ Heavy rainfall and resulting flash/river flooding threat Wednesday through Saturday.

• WHERE - Most of the state will be at risk for severe weather and heavy rainfall.

The latest Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

• [WHAT] Severe weather and heavy rainfall. ○ Very large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes. ○ Extremely heavy rainfall, more than 10 inches possible. Flash flooding and river flooding likely

• [WHEN] Late Tuesday night through Saturday night. ○ Severe weather threat timeframes: ■ (1) Tuesday night into Wednesday morning (mainly across the far northwest corner) ■ (2) Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night (entire state) ■ (3) Thursday afternoon through Thursday night (all but NW Arkansas) ○ Heavy rainfall and resulting flash/river flooding threat Wednesday through Saturday.

• [WHERE] Most of the state will be at risk for severe weather and heavy rainfall

Paragould, Cave City recovering after weekend tornadoes

KUAR | By KASU Newsroom

Officials in northern Arkansas are assessing damage and continuing recovery efforts after severe storms and tornadoes moved through the region over the weekend.

Paragould Mayor Josh Agee announced that the storm destroyed seven of the city's 16 outdoor warning sirens. In a video statement posted to Facebook, Agee said the city had purchased and installed three new sirens last fall and is aware of the current issues.

"We have crews out looking at those, inspecting them, making an inventory of the parts they need," Agee said. "We're going to try our best to get those replaced. Bear with us for that."

Paragould, Cave City recovering after weekend tornadoes

Arkansas Department Of Parks, Heritage And Tourism

The welcome sign for Cave City, Ark. The town was hit by an EF3 tornado on Friday, March 14, 2025, killing three people.

Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas today

• [WHAT] Strong to possibly a few severe thunderstorms are likely to impact Arkansas.

• [WHEN] Today, Tuesday March 4, 2025.

• [WHERE] Most of the state, but especially portions of central Arkansas, and all of southern Arkansas.

  [ADDITIONAL INFO]

• If the environment destabilizes enough, severe weather (including tornadoes) will become likely.

• Gusty winds in excess of 40+ mph will be possible ahead of the thunderstorm activity and after the passage of the thunderstorm activity through Wednesday.

  [KEEP IN MIND]

• The early arrival of precipitation (this morning) may keep the atmosphere from becoming overly unstable. If rain arrives later, or progresses more slowly to the east, then destabilization will occur. This is very concerning given that available shear will be impressive (to promote tornadoes).

• This will be the last severe weather briefing regarding the severe thunderstorms moving across the state today.

The most widespread hazard across Arkansas today will be the risk for damaging wind gusts. Damaging wind gusts will be possible statewide; however, southern portions of the state will see the highest potential for severe winds. (Note the hatched area across southern Arkansas which indicates a 10% or greater chance for significant severe winds equal to or greater than 74 mph.)

Severe Weather for Arkansas possible on Tuesday

Ahead of a powerful storm system (“L”) in the southern Plains, there will be a lot of shear/turning with height (to promote tornadoes), with a southerly 50 to 70 knot jet at 850 millibars (5,000 feet) and a southwest 70 to 100+ knot jet at 500 millibars (18,000 feet).

• [WHAT] Strong to possibly severe thunderstorms could impact the state early next week.

• [WHEN] Tuesday, March 4th.

• [WHERE] Across much of Arkansas, but especially the eastern half of the state.

  [ADDITIONAL INFO]

• A strong storm system and cold front are expected to approach by early next week.

• The system will try to bring warm, moist, and unstable air into the region from the Gulf Coast.

• If the environment destabilizes enough, severe weather (including tornadoes) will become likely.

  [WHAT HAS CHANGED]

• It appears an early arrival of precipitation (Tuesday morning) may keep the atmosphere from becoming overly unstable. If rain arrives later, or progresses more slowly to the east, then destabilization will occur. This is very concerning given that available shear will be impressive (to promote tornadoes).

• Continue to monitor the latest briefings as we assess trends in medium to short-term model data.

National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Briefing

A line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms is expected to move into western Arkansas Monday night ahead of an advancing cold front. Some of these storms could produce damaging wind gusts, and perhaps an isolated tornado.

Heavy rainfall has already fallen across a good portion of central, western, and northern Arkansas over the last 24-hours. Additional heavy rainfall and severe weather will be possible through Tuesday (election day). Here is an in-depth briefing explaining expected weather conditions through Wednesday morning.

• Widespread rain fell yesterday and overnight leading to flooding across portions of northern Arkansas.

• Additional rainfall is expected today and into Tuesday as a cold front begins to push towards the state.

• An additional one to three inches will be possible through Tuesday

Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across western Arkansas Wednesday evening and Wednesday night.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible today across the region into this evening. Late tonight, strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly northwest of the region. Look for strong south winds today outside thunderstorms with wind gusts upwards of 30 mph possible. There will continue to be an elevated fire threat due to very dry conditions with those conditions continuing until rainfall materializes later today into Thursday.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across eastern and southern Arkansas Thursday.

In SW AR, rain chances will continue through the end of the work week, into the upcoming weekend and into early next week as well. At this time, strong to severe thunderstorms do not appear likely through early next week. Temperatures will remain mostly above normal through the extended period as well.

The forecast for Halloween evening calls for rain chances across the southeast with dry conditions elsewhere. Temperatures will largely be in the 50s and 60s.

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. 

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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.

Tropical Storm Beryl Briefing from the National Weather Service

Areas from southwest to north-central Arkansas could see the highest totals (isolated 4-6 inch amounts)

This map shows rainfall totals through Tuesday night, which includes some rainfall expected before Beryl moves through.

• TS Beryl will move onshore along the Texas coast late tonight into early Monday morning, likely as a hurricane.

• Beryl will quickly weaken and move toward the north then northeast, traveling across east/northeast Texas Monday into early Tuesday morning.

• The remnants of Beryl are expected to move across Arkansas from Monday afternoon through Tuesday before lifting northeast of the state by early Wednesday morning.

• The remnants of Beryl could provide some locally heavy rain and perhaps a few tornadoes/damaging wind gusts across Arkansas from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon.

NOTE: Do not focus on the exact track. Impacts can occur well outside the area enclosed by the cone

Arkansas delegation supports governor’s request for major disaster declaration

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms in Benton, Boone and Marion Counties on May 26.

“We encourage the president to quickly approve federal aid to help speed up recovery efforts in Arkansas,” members said. 

The letter can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on May 24, 2024, and are continuing.

As Governor Sanders noted in her request, the severity of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, severe infrastructure damage, and resulted in the deaths of at least nine citizens and injured countless others. Arkansans will continue to feel the destructive impact of this storm as we work to rebuild.  

Preliminary damage estimates conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show major impacts to local jurisdictions in Benton, Boone, and Marion Counties exceeding an estimated $6.4 million in damages. At least 217 homes were destroyed with an additional 94 sustaining major damage. In total, over 478 homes were affected by the storms, leaving a large number of Arkansans displaced and many counties left without power for days. 

Despite facing significant hardships from the severe storm, Arkansans have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and resilience. Communities from across the state have come together to support one another during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in restoration efforts.

The entire Arkansas delegation is eager to assist in any way possible to ensure expedited evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions. We thank you for your support, and respectfully ask for your attention and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety and full recovery of Arkansans.

Special session discussions ongoing as Arkansas tornado recovery efforts progress

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

While elected officials’ focus shifted to recovery efforts after more than a dozen deadly tornadoes struck the state last week, Arkansas lawmakers have continued negotiating the details of a pending special session.

A special session became necessary when the Arkansas Legislature failed to approve the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s budget before the end of the fiscal session last month. The agency’s appropriation bill stalled after lawmakers raised concerns about a proposed increase to the director’s salary.

Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, said details of the commission’s funding “remain to be seen,” but he said lawmakers will pass a budget. To avoid interrupting the commission’s services, legislators must approve funding before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

Special session discussions ongoing as Arkansas tornado recovery efforts progress

Dwain Hebda/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas State Capitol.

At least 15 are dead after tornadoes rip through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

KUAR | By Joe Hernandez

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms ripped through parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas late Saturday evening and Sunday morning, leaving at least 15 people dead and causing widespread damage.

Around midday Sunday, some rescue crews in those states were still searching for missing people and digging out from the rubble, while residents in other states such as Kentucky and Tennessee were facing severe weather from the eastward-moving storms.

More than 400,000 residents throughout the region had lost power as of Sunday afternoon, according to the website poweroutage.us.

At least 15 are dead after tornadoes rip through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

Severe weather likely in Arkansas beginning Wednesday evening; briefing updated

• Severe storms are expected to fire across Arkansas this afternoon into the overnight hours.

• Chances for severe weather will increase through the day as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment.

• All modes of severe weather are in play this afternoon and overnight. Very large hail up to baseball size and wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main threats, with tornadoes also possible. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding as well.

• On Thursday, storms will be mostly south of Arkansas but could impact far southern portions of the state. Damaging winds and large hail would be the main hazards.

Minor updates have been made by the National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR.

They include the addition of NW Arkansas to the Tornado Outlook and Overnight Timing Graphics. 

Storms are expected to initially develop by early evening across northern and western Arkansas. These storms will be capable of all severe weather hazards. The storms will gradually shift eastward through the evening hours with the very large hail threat becoming slightly lower. The damaging wind and isolated tornado threat will persist. Activity should make it east of the Mississippi River by daybreak Thursday.