Extreme weather and natural disasters are familiar to Arkansans. We have lived through tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, wildfires and even earthquakes that damage property, change communities and in some cases injure or cost lives. These events are never easy to endure.

But at every turn, the thing that defines our state as much as anything is our commitment to rally around our families, friends and neighbors in the aftermath.

It always materializes, yet it is important not to take that charitable and generous spirit for granted. This spring, Mother Nature is putting our commitment to the test in a seemingly relentless way.

Just last month, we watched as an outbreak of tornadoes, including two with EF-4 ratings, as well as severe storms pummeled the north central and northeast parts of our state leaving incredible damage, dozens of injuries and three fatalities in their wake.

Shortly thereafter, over 100 wildfires broke out in and around central Arkansas driven by strong winds that carried the flames over thousands of acres. Residents nearby were evacuated from their homes, outdoor activities were limited and firefighting teams from around the region were dispatched to help contain and put out the blazes.

Unfortunately, conditions produced further rounds of storms, flash flooding and tornadic activity at the beginning of April. These events took at least three lives and injured over a dozen other Arkansans in different parts of the state. Multiple communities received as much as one foot of rain. 

That deluge precipitated harrowing scenes, including water rescues in Hardy and Camden where brave first responders and citizens helped save their neighbors from swiftly rising floodwaters.

Amid all this devastation and destruction, once again our state showed up for one another. 

Whether it was cleanups in communities like Bryant to help get little league baseball fields back in playing shape or volunteers descending on places like Lake City to help clear debris, salvage personal belongings, offer meals or distribute cleaning supplies –– there has been no shortage of acts of kindness toward those who experience such unimaginable hardship.

As in any crisis where threats to personal safety or energy sources transpire, we must also recognize the brave and selfless men and women who answer the call to provide aid when most others are taking shelter.

The Arkansas National Guard has been on the ground in multiple communities providing various forms of support including helping shore up levee breeches, supplying potable water or helping drivers avoid treacherous roadways.

Similarly, electrical lineworkers in our state rose to the occasion and helped restore power to thousands of Arkansans as hazardous weather battered them. In fact, those efforts were recognized by the state legislature which proclaimed April 9 as Arkansas Electrical Lineworkers Day to commend their efforts and dedication. And it should also be noted what a great job our meteorologists and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management team did to keep Arkansans safe and informed.

Our hearts are with every community impacted by natural disasters, now working to pick up the pieces. The strength of Arkansas is its people, who are meeting this moment with the strength and resilience we have seen time and again. They never lose hope, and I look forward to working with state, local and federal leaders to offer them support as they rebuild and recover.