Trump denies federal aid as Arkansas recovers from deadly storms

Governor Sarah Sanders is pressing the federal government for help after Arkansas was devastated by two rounds of severe storms this spring, but her request for a major disaster declaration has been denied by President Donald Trump’s administration. Despite the loss of life, extensive damage, and mounting debris across several counties, the White House has so far declined to send federal assistance.

In an appeal letter last week, Sanders described Arkansas as being in “dire need of federal assistance” following tornadoes that struck on March 14 and 15. Fourteen tornadoes were confirmed in those two days, killing three people, injuring dozens, and damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure across the state.

Sanders officially requested a major disaster declaration in the days following the storms, which is the first step in unlocking federal support through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including small business loans, individual assistance, and debris removal funding. Her request focused on nine counties: Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone.

But the Trump administration denied the request, concluding that the storm damage was not beyond the capacity of state and local governments to handle. In the official denial, the administration stated:

“Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies. Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental federal assistance is not necessary.”

The response, confirmed by Lacey Kanipe, spokesperson for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, left many officials frustrated, particularly as the state continues to deal with the aftermath and a second wave of storms that followed just weeks later.

On April 18, Sanders and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management filed a formal appeal, citing the compounded impact of the storms and pleading again for federal help.

“The severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on March 14 and 15, 2025, produced catastrophic impacts across the state,” Sanders wrote in the appeal. “The sheer magnitude of this event resulted in overwhelming amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the tragic loss of three lives, and injuries to many others.”

She continued: “Less than three weeks later, Arkansas was once again devastated by a second wave of severe storms, tornadoes, and a generational flooding event. These compounding disasters severely affected many of the same counties, adding even more catastrophic debris and tragically claiming the lives of three additional Arkansans. Given the cumulative impact of these events, federal assistance is essential to help our communities recover.”

As of Monday afternoon, Arkansas officials said they had not yet received a response to the appeal.

While FEMA assistance is not guaranteed, denials are relatively rare. According to Kanipe, the state has received only two denials for federal disaster assistance in the last five years. The FEMA website confirms that Arkansas has frequently received help for disaster recovery, including after ice storms, flooding, and tornado outbreaks in recent years.

One prior denial occurred in 2019, when FEMA rejected a hazard mitigation request after flooding in Fort Smith, though other applications for aid following that year’s storms were approved.

The latest rejection stands in contrast to how past disasters have been handled. In 2023, when tornadoes tore through Arkansas on March 31 and left five people dead, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration within 48 hours of Sanders’ request. At that time, Sanders had just begun her first term and expressed a preference for limited federal involvement. Despite those early views, she quickly sought help, and Biden responded without delay.

A press release issued a year later by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management praised the fast federal response in 2023.

“Within 24 hours of the disaster, Governor Sanders officially requested a presidential disaster declaration, which included Individual and Public Assistance and statewide Hazard Mitigation efforts.

Within 48 hours of the storms, President Biden signed a Major Disaster Declaration activating federal resources to support the State’s response and recovery,” the March 29, 2024, release stated.

This time, under the Trump administration, the approach has been more cautious. Officials in Washington argue that the damage from the March storms, while tragic, did not exceed the capabilities of state agencies and local responders.

However, state leaders argue the second round of storms compounded the damage and pushed communities past their breaking point.

Many of the same counties affected by the March tornadoes were also hit again by late-season storms that brought more tornadoes and heavy flooding. Emergency crews have struggled to keep up with debris removal and infrastructure repairs. Local governments say they are now facing financial pressure without federal assistance to backfill disaster costs.

Several county officials have spoken out in support of the governor’s appeal, warning that without outside help, long-term recovery will be delayed and residents may be left without adequate housing, food, or medical care.

“We are doing everything we can with what we have,” said a county judge in Sharp County. “But this is more than what any rural community can bear on its own.”

The Arkansas National Guard has been activated to assist with relief efforts, and the state is working to provide temporary housing and cleanup resources in the hardest-hit areas. Still, the scale of the disaster has led many to call the situation “unmanageable” without federal support.

“This is not just about one storm,” said an emergency coordinator in Izard County. “This is about repeated, devastating events in a short window of time. We need help.”

Sanders’ request included federal programs that would offer temporary housing assistance, grants for home repairs, low-interest loans for property losses, and funding for hazard mitigation. Many of these programs have been used in previous Arkansas disasters with significant success.

As frustration builds, comparisons to previous disaster responses under the Biden administration continue. Some residents and leaders are questioning whether political dynamics may be influencing decisions about federal aid.

In response to such questions, the Trump administration has said the disaster assistance process follows standard review guidelines and that political factors do not play a role in FEMA determinations.

Meanwhile, communities across Arkansas continue recovery efforts, holding onto hope that the appeal will be granted and that help will still come.

Local nonprofits and churches have stepped in to provide shelter, distribute supplies, and organize cleanup efforts in the absence of federal aid. Volunteers from neighboring states have also arrived to assist in rebuilding homes and clearing debris.

The governor’s office has emphasized that the state will continue to press for federal support and do whatever it can in the meantime to assist affected communities.

“We are not giving up,” Sanders said in a statement on Monday. “The people of Arkansas deserve the same swift, fair response that other Americans have received in their time of need. We will keep fighting for that help.”

As the state waits for word on the appeal, Arkansans are left picking up the pieces once again, hoping that the next message from Washington will bring relief — and not another rejection.