Newsroom

Local city and county government representatives met with Grants Coordinator Tim Riley of U.S. Senator John Boozman’s office on Monday, August 6 to discuss current conditions related to Hot Springs’ recent severe thunderstorm, along with any opportunities for state and federal storm damage assistance.

Attending the meeting were Hot Springs City Manager David Watkins; Communications/ Warning Officer Robert King of the Garland County Department of Emergency Management; Hot Springs Fire Department Shift Commander Jeff Saunders; and Riley.

Discussion involved the notification process of officials when a significant incident occurs, and the thresholds that must be met by the submittal of documentation related to the extent and estimated cost of damages to uninsured public and private structures. Although the scope of damages from this storm event alone does not currently meet the criteria for state or federal assistance, Hot Springs and Garland County are both compiling loss records in case future circumstances allow them to apply.