DHS Temporarily Closing Pulaski-East Office Due to Potential Flooding

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is moving equipment and temporarily closing its office in eastern Pulaski County today due to potential flooding.

The office, located at 1424 East Second Street in Little Rock, backs up to the Arkansas River. According to the National Weather Service, the Arkansas River is expected to crest six feet above flood stage on June 5. At least one flooding model shows that water could get into the building. So DHS Deputy Director Dawn Stehle ordered all 50 staff to pack their phones, computers, electronic equipment, and other belongings Friday morning and move to empty DHS office space elsewhere in the county. Filing cabinets with client records also have been relocated temporarily. The office will be closed until further notice, and DHS staff is working to notify impacted clients of the closure. If you had an appointment scheduled with someone at that office and haven’t heard from DHS, please call the telephone number you already have for the caseworker or eligibility specialist to which you were assigned. If you aren’t sure who to call, please contact 501-682-9200.

If you are in Pulaski County and need to apply for assistance, you may do so online at www.Access.Arkansas.gov, or by going to one of the other offices in the county. All other DHS offices in Pulaski County remain open. The addresses of those offices are listed below.

Photos below by Stephen Thornton, DHS

Photo 1: DHS Division of Children and Family Services staff work to plan new office space for their workers as all DHS staff move out of the Pulaski East office Friday morning in Little Rock.

Photo 2:  Mark Costa, left, and Patrick McCormack load up bins destined for SWLR as all DHS staff move out of the Pulaski East office Friday morning in Little Rock.