Arkansas Counties Declared Disaster Areas After Storms

Gov. Mike Beebe has declared two Arkansas counties affected by a tornado and severe storms as state disaster areas. Severe weather on Dec. 31 caused three deaths and eight injuries, along with damage to more than 30 homes and businesses in north Arkansas, authorities say.

Beebe made the declaration on Jan. 1, 2011. It could potentially help defray cleanup costs in Washington and Benton counties.

Three people died in the tiny Washington County town of Cincinnati. Emergency management officials say 14 homes and one business in that county sustained damage. In Benton County, officials say 13 homes and five businesses sustained damage.

Beebe says people in the two counties “performed admirably in their response” to the severe weather.

In Fulton County, damage was reported at the Jim Hinkle Fish Hatchery on the Spring River, along with some minor home damage. Madison County emergency officials reported damage to two unoccupied mobile homes around the small town of Clifty.

At least four deaths were reported in neighboring Missouri as a result of the storm.