Arkansas Governor Allots $500K for Tornado Debris Cleanup

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe is making $500,000 available to pay for removal of debris removal in Pulaski County.

The governor’s office said Friday that state funds are necessary because the damaged areas in western Pulaski County won’t receive federal disaster aid to help pay for hauling off the debris.

Beebe is to use $350,000 from his emergency fund and $150,000 from the general improvement fund to pay for the work.

Beebe’s office says $68.7 million in damage claims have been filed for individual and commercial entities. People are receiving aid in Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White counties.

The April 27 tornadoes are blamed for 16 deaths in Arkansas.