ARKANSAS, USA — Severe storms ravaged different areas of Arkansas, leaving homes damaged, thousands without power, and two confirmed deaths.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared an emergency and authorized funds for the Arkansas cities impacted by recent severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding to "ensure the safe and efficient restoration of power throughout the state, it is important to maintain a safe distance from these downed power lines, line crews, and related equipment."
Sanders authorized $250,000 for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management's program and administrative costs.
Additionally, any emergency vehicles responding to the storms and related damage are authorized to bypass all Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) weigh station facilities until June 9.
Before signing the executive order, Sanders announced she will be making stops in the impacted areas on May 27 "to personally offer assistance and help expedite resources."
"I’ve spoken with @FEMA_Deanne, members of our federal delegation and county officials and we stand ready to provide aid and rush assistance to storm-damaged areas," she said.
Deanne Criswell with FEMA said their response teams are ready to support Arkansas and work closely with the state's emergency teams to accomplish that.
Sanders was joined by Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Steve Womack, Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary, Director of Arkansas State Police Mike Hagar, and other local officials for a storm damage briefing at the Benton County Sheriff's Office Sunday evening.
At the press conference, Sanders said eight fatalities across the state. The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management later confirmed seven people died statewide from Sunday's severe storms.
There were three in Benton County. One woman died after a tree fell onto her trailer on Canal Street near Monte Ne.
The other two deaths in Benton County were not directly affected by the storms. According to Benton County Judge Barry Moehring, another woman who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) died because she was not able to access her oxygen machine during a power outage. Moehring also confirmed a third individual died from a heart attack.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.