Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that President Joe Biden approved her request for federal funding to help tornado damage victims in her state.

The approval agreed to cover all costs for storm recovery for the next 30 days, according to the governor.

The federal cost share covers state and local resources spent in the first 30 days of debris cleanup and emergency protective measures. https://t.co/VY4KzMDrlb

— 5NEWS (@5NEWS) April 9, 2023

The governor's statement

"Last week, I asked President Biden to approve a 100% federal cost share for our storm recovery expenses," Gov. Sanders said. "Today, I’m pleased to announce that the president has approved our request."

"As Arkansas's tornado recovery continues, it's clear that communities across our state will be substantially burdened by the cost of cleanup and repair," Gov. Sanders said.

"Coordination between federal, state, and local leaders has been seamless so far, and with today’s announcement, I’m confident we can continue our close partnership for as long as the recovery process takes.”

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Arkansas by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for emergency work undertakenin the State of Arkansas as a result of severehttps://t.co/6YTpuYJJM6 pic.twitter.com/s1ztgz0W7z

— Ivan Golden | Founder/CEO/Journalist (@ThxNews) April 8, 2023

The White House declaration

"Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Arkansas by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for emergency work undertaken in the State of Arkansas as a result of severe storms and tornadoes on March 31, 2023," the White House said in a Saturday statement.

"Under the President’s order today, Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for a continuous 30-day period of the State’s choosing within the first 120 days of the incident period," it added.

Governor Sanders has requested a 100% federal cost share after severe storms and tornadoes caused significant damage across the state on March 31.
https://t.co/nCF5z9rwYP

— THV11 (@THV11) April 5, 2023

Thousands of structures affected

The March 28 storm included powerful tornadoes in Pulaski and Lonoke counties in the state.

"In total there were 2,700 structures impacted with some particularly severe damage to the top floors of apartment buildings as well as leveled homes and churches around Napa Valley Drive near Interstate 430 and Jacksonville," THX News reported.

"Sadly 1 person was killed while 50 people had to be admitted into hospital for their injuries caused by the catastrophic winds; power outages affected over 60,000 households across both regions," it added.

The damage won't be repaired quickly but the federal funding support will go a long way to help the people of Arkansas recover from the epic storm.