A public meeting will be held Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. at the Sharp County Courthouse in Ash Flat for farmers who have been affected by the recent flooding.
Meeting organizer John Kunkel said the meeting is regional and any farmers affected by the April 5 flood or the March 14 tornadoes are encouraged to attend.
“We have requested state and federal officials be present to offer resources available, guidance and next steps – much like the structure used during the drought forums,” Kunkel said.
Representatives from Senator Tom Cotton, Senator John Boozman and Congressman Rick Crawford’s offices respectively will be present at the meeting.
Kunkel said Rep. Bart Schulz has also been working to assist those impacted by the March 14 tornadoes and the April 5 floods.
“Representative Schulz is actively working with other officials, as well as state and federal agencies to put their best foot forward in securing a Presidential Disaster Declaration — a critical step in unlocking full federal assistance,” Kunkel said.
Despite the rejection of the recent requests for a presidential disaster declaration and federal disaster assistance, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has filed an appeal and is awaiting an answer.
Despite the rejection of the recent requests for a presidential disaster declaration and federal disaster assistance, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has filed an appeal and is awaiting an answer.
Kunkel said if granted, several federal programs and their assistance will become available including: FEMA Individual Assistance; temporary housing and rental aid; home repair grants; replacement of personal property; assistance for medical, dental, funeral, and transportation needs; Disaster Unemployment Assistance; FEMA Public Assistance; debris removal; road and bridge repair; emergency service reimbursement and public building and utility restoration.
More importantly, agricultural assistance would be unlocked through the USDA including: USDA Disaster Assistance; Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) for debris cleanup, fence replacement, and pasture restoration; Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for livestock losses; Emergency loans through FSA; NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP); creek and river debris removal; streambank stabilization; repair of water control structures; Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; Long-term improvements like drainage systems and flood-resistant infrastructure.
“What you can do right now is to take clear, dated photos of all flood damage, keep receipts and records of cleanup and repair expenses, report losses to your local OEM and FSA offices and if FEMA is in the area, request a property visit,” Kunkel said. “This flood has changed our land — but not our resilience. Please spread the word and plan to attend the meeting. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard and every acre is accounted for.”
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
