Current:Home > NewsArkansas, local officials mark anniversary of tornadoes that killed four and destroyed homes -AssetLink
Arkansas, local officials mark anniversary of tornadoes that killed four and destroyed homes
View
Date:2025-04-16 06:59:46
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas and local officials hailed the response from emergency workers, community groups and individuals on Friday as they marked the one-year anniversary of tornadoes that tore through the state and killed four people.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders visited a title company in Little Rock and a church in Jacksonville that were damaged by a tornado tore through the area. Five tornadoes hit the state on March 31, including two EF-3 tornadoes that devastated central and east Arkansas. Four people died in Wynne, located 91 miles (147 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.
Sanders praised the response from community groups and individuals around Arkansas who assisted in the hours and days after the tornadoes alongside state and local authorities. Federal, state and local agencies have estimated the tornadoes caused between $70 million to $90 million in damage to public infrastructure, according to the state Department of Emergency Management.
“Everyone with a moment to spare was outside the next day helping to pick up debris,” Sanders said outside Pulaski County Title with local officials, police and firefighters. “I have never been more proud to call myself an Arkansan.”
The tornado destroyed Wynne High School, and students there have been attending classes at a temporary campus while a permanent replacement is being built.
In Little Rock’s Walnut Valley neighborhood, work continues on many homes damaged or destroyed by the tornado. The neighborhood and city officials plan to mark the tornado’s anniversary on Saturday by planting a seedling donated by the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
“We showed that we will be united together and show our true unity and resilience together,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- Sewage spill closes 2-mile stretch of coastline at Southern California’s Laguna Beach
- Breaking the chains: Creator of comic strip ‘Mutts’ frees his Guard Dog character after decades
- 'This Is Spinal Tap' director teases sequel with Paul McCartney, Elton John: 'Everybody's back'
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- Burning Man narrowly passes environmental inspection months after torrential rain upended festival
- Michigan woman plans to give her kids their best Christmas ever after winning $100,000
- Why Swifties Think Taylor Swift and Ex Joe Alwyn’s Relationship Issues Trace Back to 2021
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- Recall: Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs recalled because of fire risk
Ranking
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
- Virginia man dies in wood chipper accident after being pulled head-first
- Kraft introduces new mac and cheese option without the cheese
- Anderson Cooper says he 'never really grieved' before emotional podcast, announces Season 2
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Texas Supreme Court hears arguments to clarify abortion ban
- Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlaws LGBTQ+ activism in a landmark ruling
- Sewage spill closes 2-mile stretch of coastline at Southern California’s Laguna Beach
Recommendation
NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
Weather experts in Midwest say climate change reporting brings burnout and threats
Arizona officials who refused to canvass election results indicted by grand jury
Jonathan Majors' domestic violence trial to begin: What to know about actor's charges
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
Travis Barker’s Son Landon Reveals He Hasn’t Held Baby Brother Rocky Yet
Actor Jonathan Majors in court for expected start of jury selection in New York assault trial
New York City subway worker dragged under train and killed near Herald Square station