LITTLE ROCK (KFSM)- Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson issued a proclamation Monday (May 11) declaring ten counties disaster areas following a weekend of severe weather that included flooding and tornadoes.
The counties are Franklin, Johnson, Newton, Garland, Howard, Izard, Montgomery, Pike, Pope and Searcy.
The governor issued the following statement after touring Nashville, Arkansas in Howard County where a tornado killed two people:
“It’s always difficult to see the damage inflicted by deadly storms and tornadoes. Our hearts and prayers go out to those in the Nashville area who were affected by the recent weather, especially the family of those who died from Sunday’s tornado.
“As Arkansans, we all hold our breath when we hear about severe weather. Sadly, we’ve been through this before, and we know how devastating these storms can be. But Arkansans help out each other. We always have. We always will. And I know the compassion of Arkansans will reach those in these difficult circumstances.”
The governor toured the damage left behind by an EF-2 tornado in Nashville with Arkansas U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman.