Federal Emergency Management Agency

As Little Rock recovers from the tornado that destroyed at least 2,000 structures, builders and engineers are reviving a long discussion about whether there should be regulations requiring safe rooms or shelters in residential and commercial properties. read more >

The first new house built in the neighborhood immediately east of downtown Little Rock since 1995 is occupied, and scores of apartments will be ready within weeks. read more >

Five months ago, state officials scrambled to prepare for a pandemic scenario in which the added caseload of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed the Arkansas network of hospitals. read more >

Preparedness is not sexy, and when the planning and stockpiling work, the public doesn’t see it. When preparedness is lacking, as now, the failure is glaring. If we truly believed in preparedness, we wouldn’t have trillions of dollars worth of deferred maintenance on our decaying infrastructure and systems — but we do. read more >

For many Arkansans, the path to flood insurance goes through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program– and participation in the NFIP is dropping. read more >

Founded in 1997, CTEH of North Little Rock got its start dealing with chemical spills from train derailments, but now includes services such as risk assessment, crisis management and training. read more >

Residents of NFIP communities are eligible to buy flood insurance from the federal government at premiums dictated by factors that include what kind of floodplain the structure is located on and how elevated the structure is. read more >

A program by the Federal Emergency Management Agency has given more than $1.7 million to agencies in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma to maintain up-to-date flood hazard maps and other flood hazard information. read more >

A climate change expert says FEMA's requirement states consider the effects of climate change if they want to receive federal mitigation money was simply “a way to protect the federal treasury by minimizing claims for FEMA money from places that don’t take adequate precautions. read more >

Call it what you will, the chief of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Services says that the state is facing a new normal, one in which extreme weather events are occurring more often and with greater intensity. read more >

Cole McCaskill is a Hot Springs native who recently stepped into the newly created position of downtown development director. His job is to manage the Hot Springs Metro Partnership’s Strategic Plan for Downtown Development, which grew out of the February fire that destroyed the historic Majestic Hotel. read more >

After a disaster strikes is not the time for the business owner to develop a plan to reopen the company. read more >

With Arkansas overdue for a major earthquake, experts are warning Arkansans who live near earthquake activity and flood zones to be prepared by having flood and earthquake insurance. read more >

Ouachita County Judge James Michael Hesterly and the owner of Clemons Construction of Bearden are indicted on two federal charges of bribery and one count of conspiracy to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency. read more >

Dumas' efforts to pull itself up and redefine its local economy after storms destroyed much of the city’s business infrastructure on Feb. 24, 2007, and the loss of several businesses since, have earned it recognition as an Arkansas Business City of Distinction in the category of Technology Advancements. read more >