Home > December 2021 Tornadoes

Early December 2021 tornadoes caused fatalities and other destruction across a wide number of states, including, among others, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas. As communities and individuals undertake disaster recovery, USDA, states and stakeholders will tap federal resources, including federal nutrition assistance. This webpage provides links to information on developments and background for making best use of those resources.

 

A FRAC guide and other publications on leveraging federal nutrition programs during disaster recovery are available on our disaster page.

  • Federal Guidance

    On December 13, 2021, President Biden underscored the importance of letting state governments know about all the federal relief they can request.

  • FRAC Chat

  • Arkansas

    On January 27, 2022, USDA added two more zip code areas to the Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) relief Arkansas is implementing in the wake of December 2921 tornadoes and storms.
    On January 21, 2022, USDA authorized Arkansas to operate Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) in 5 counties impacted by storms and tornadoes.
    On January 6, 2022, USDA extended the time for SNAP households in 5 Arkansas counties hard hit by December 2021 storms to seek replacement benefits.

  • Illinois

    On December 13, 2021, President Biden approved a Disaster Declaration for Illinois given emergency conditions resulting from the December 2021 storms.
    On December 13, 2021, Illinois Governor Pritzker issued a disaster declaration for areas affected by recent tornadoes.

  • Kentucky

    On February 9, 2022, USDA extended the waiver allowing SNAP households in Kentucky counties affected by December 2021 tornadoes to use their benefits for hot prepared food purchases.
    On January 15, 2022, USDA approved Kentucky’s request to extend the time for SNAP households in areas hard hit by December 2021 tornadoes to use benefits to purchase hot prepared foods.
    On January 5, 2022, USDA extended the time for SNAP households in 31 Kentucky counties hard hit by December 2021 tornadoes to seek replacement benefits.
    On January 4, 2022 USDA announced Disaster SNAP for areas of Kentucky hard hit by December 2021 tornadoes. In addition to authorizing nutrition benefits, USDA is allowing SNAP certification periods to be extended.
    On December 30, 2021, USDA authorized Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) for 14 Kentucky counties hard hit by December tornadoes. By earlier actions USDA approved Kentucky’s requests to issue automatic replacement benefits for SNAP households in select areas, extend the time for households to seek replacement benefits, and allow SNAP benefits to be used to purchase hit prepared foods.
    In mid-December 2021, USDA approved use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot prepared food in 33 Kentucky counties hard hit by December recent tornadoes and extended the time for SNAP households in 8 of the counties to request replacement benefits.
    On December 15, 2021, President Biden toured tornado damaged areas of Mayfield, Kentucky and pledged, “We’re not going to leave.  I promise you, the federal government is going to be involved until this gets rebuilt, this whole — not just here, but particularly here, but also the other states as well.” He also met with local leaders and amended the Kentucky disaster declaration.
    On December 13, 2021, Kentucky Governor Beshear provided update on tornado aftermath.
    President Biden has issued two emergency disaster declarations for parts of Kentucky hard hit by December 2021 tornadoes. December 11 and December 12.

  • Missouri
    On December 20, 2021, USDA extended the time for SNAP households to request replacement benefits in 3 Missouri counties hard hit by recent tornadoes.
  • Tennesee

    On December 13, 2021, President Biden approved a Disaster Declaration for Tennessee given emergency conditions resulting from the December 2021 storms.
    On December 13, 2021, Tennessee Governor Lee requested federal disaster relief for parts of the state hit hard by recent tornadoes.

Disaster Resources