The damage wrought by the severe storms and tornados that struck Northwest Arkansas over Memorial Day weekend is both devastating and heartbreaking. However, the resilience and solidarity demonstrated in the aftermath of such destruction highlight the strength and compassion that bind us all, offering hope and reassurance in these challenging times. While there is no way to fully account for all of the efforts being mounted to assist in the recovery, we have compiled a list of links below for ways you can receive or offer support.
Relief Funding
The Benton County Relief Fund, a partnership for Benton County cities and citizens, announced that it is providing short-term financial assistance to Benton County households impacted by the devastating storms of May 26, 2024. The Fund will also support local nonprofit service providers for their disaster responses for Benton County and all affected communities therein.
Due to the major disaster declaration, low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Arkansas businesses, private non-profits, homeowners, and renters. The declaration covers Baxter, Benton, Boone, and Marion counties due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred May 24 – 27.
NWA Tornado Relief Spreadsheets
Benton County, with the support of Hark at Excellerate Foundation, has a downloadable spreadsheet of NWA Tornado Relief Efforts pinned to the top of the Benton County Government website: bentoncountyar.gov.
If you are unsure where to start, Hark has community liaisons who can assist community members with questions and needs HERE.
There is also a citizen-led, crowdsourced Google Sheet that is regularly being updated and circulated.
Recovery Centers
Rogers High School is acting as a central hub for emergency relief. The school district is maintaining a Disaster Relief landing page, which includes a list of current donation needs, volunteer opportunities and resources.
A FEMA disaster recovery center is set up at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. People affected by the Memorial Day weekend storms can apply for federal assistance there, the agency announced in a news release. The center will operate 7am-7pm daily at the Becky Paneitz Student Center, Room 108. Applications are also available online or by phone at (800) 621-3362. FEMA also will operate a mobile registration intake center, 8:30am-6:30pm daily at the Falling Springs Church parking lot, 21822 Falling Springs Road in Decatur.
Volunteer
The Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Disaster Response Team, who has extensive experience supporting disaster relief efforts across the country, has been diligently monitoring the damage and is actively coordinating relief efforts. Interested volunteers must register and meet a list of requirements. After registering, volunteers will be contacted with deployment details.
Additionally, the American Red Cross of Arkansas is recruiting disaster response volunteers to join their Disaster Action Teams who are assisting impacted communities across the region. Setting up a Volunteer Connection account and filling out the application takes around 15 minutes.
The Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce has also mobilized to help the community recover by coordinating volunteers. Both organizations who need volunteers and volunteers eager to lend a hand can sign up via the Emergency Relief page on the RLCC website.
Lastly, for those who have expressed an interest in getting involved with trail cleanups. We Are Trailblazers recently announced they plan to host a trail workday party this Saturday, June 1. Location is still TBD but the groups will get started around 8AM. Follow Facebook or Instagram for updates.
