A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for much of Arkansas from noon today through 6:00 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, as heavy snow, sleet, and ice impact the region. Bob Connell spoke with Jeff Hood from the National Weather Center for the latest details.
In response, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency and authorized $250,000 for response and recovery efforts. Emergency vehicles and essential supply carriers will be allowed to bypass The Arkansas Department of Transportation weigh stations to speed restoration of services.
The Arkansas State Police urge drivers to avoid unnecessary travel. Troopers recommend slowing down, increasing following distance, avoiding sudden braking, and carrying emergency supplies. Drivers can check road conditions at IDrive Arkansas or dial *ASP (*277) for non-emergency assistance.
As more families rely on heaters and fireplaces, the Arkansas State Fire Marshal’s Office warns winter weather increases the risk of house fires. Officials advise keeping space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, avoiding overloaded outlets, testing smoke alarms regularly, and never leaving heating equipment unattended.
Power companies, say crews are staged statewide and remind customers that restoration during extreme cold may take longer due to heavy demand. If power is lost, residents should unplug heaters and major appliances until service is restored.
Warming centers and emergency shelters are open across Central and North Central Arkansas for anyone needing safe shelter from the cold. A full list of locations is available at ArkansasRadio dot com or through local law enforcement agencies.
Stay ahead of the storm — tune in to ArkansasRadio.com stations for weather updates every 20 minutes.
Leave a Reply