FEMA Issues Emergency Declaration for Arkansas Following Severe Winter Storm
FEMA has authorized emergency assistance for 31 counties in Arkansas to support recovery efforts following a severe winter storm that began on January 23, 2026.
What Happened
On January 24, 2026, an emergency declaration (EM-3636-AR) was issued for the state of Arkansas in response to a severe winter storm. The incident began on January 23, 2026, prompting federal intervention to assist state and local recovery efforts.
Affected Areas
A total of 31 counties in Arkansas are included in this declaration:
- Saline
- St. Francis
- Howard
- Randolph
- Pulaski
- Hot Spring
- Conway
- Prairie
- Pope
- Hempstead
- Polk
- Poinsett
- Greene
- Columbia
- Calhoun
- Pike
- Phillips
- Grant
- Perry
- Ouachita
- Garland
- Cleveland
- Newton
- Nevada
- Fulton
- Montgomery
- Monroe
- Franklin
- Cleburne
- Bradley
- Baxter
Federal Assistance Available
FEMA has activated the Public Assistance (PA) program for the designated areas. This program provides federal funding for emergency protective measures. At this time, Individual Assistance (IA) and Hazard Mitigation (HM) programs have not been declared.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected counties should stay informed through local emergency management updates. Although Individual Assistance is not currently part of this declaration, residents can monitor potential changes in status or find preparedness resources by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or using the FEMA mobile app. For those seeking general information, FEMA can be reached at 1-800-621-3362.
Source
Source: FEMA Official Notice