Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Senator Mike Ross Tells Of Legislative Action After Storm

In response to Saturday's killer tornadoes, the Arkansas General Assembly, Monday, filed legislation to help alleviate the financial problems of those affected.

According to State Sen. Mike Ross, the legislation would provide $500,000 for each county declared a disaster area, including Hempstead, Nevada and Clark. This legislation was co-sponsored by the representatives from the affected areas.

An additional $5 million will be allocated for Gov. Mike Huckabee to use at his discretion in areas where the $500,000 isn't enough, or those regions where there wasn't enough damage done to qualify as a disaster area.

This, Ross said, will be above and beyond the grants and loans which will be made available through the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"No words can express my feelings as I traveled through Nevada County Saturday, and in Clark County Sunday morning," he said. "The amount of damage was unbelievable.

"I pledge to do all I can to see state government respond in a timely manner with money and resources as the clean up effort begins.

"My thoughts are with those affected by the tornadoes."