Arkansas braces for major winter storm; Sanders deploys National Guard

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has deployed the Arkansas National Guard and declared a state of emergency as a major winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow, sleet, ice and dangerously cold temperatures across much of Arkansas through the weekend.

Sanders announced Friday that 28 Arkansas National Guard winter weather response teams are being activated to assist Arkansas State Police with transporting stranded motorists. Guardsmen are being ordered to state active duty beginning Friday to provide around-the-clock support, including command, control and public affairs assistance.

Each response team includes five Guardsmen, two Humvees and communications equipment.

“Our National Guardsmen are always on call to assist our state when disaster strikes,” Sanders said. “As this weekend’s winter storm approaches, we will need all the assistance we can get to keep Arkansans safe.”

The governor declared a state of emergency Thursday and directed $250,000 to support response and recovery efforts. The state also launched HelpArkansas.com to provide information on food assistance, warming centers and shelters, road conditions, power outages and storm preparedness.

The National Weather Service in Little Rock said a winter storm warning remains in effect from noon Friday through 6 p.m. CST Sunday for large portions of the state, including central, eastern, northern, southern and western Arkansas.

Forecasters expect 6 to 10 inches of snow across northern sections of Arkansas, with 2 to 4 inches of sleet and snow across central areas. Far southern and southeastern parts of the state could see sleet and ice accumulations of up to three-quarters of an inch.

The storm is expected to make roads slick and hazardous, particularly bridges and overpasses, and could lead to fallen trees and widespread power outages. The National Weather Service warned travel could become impossible and said the Friday evening commute may be severely impacted.

Dangerously cold wind chills are expected to follow the storm, ranging from 5 below zero to colder than 15 below zero from midnight Friday through noon Monday. Officials warned that prolonged exposure could result in frostbite or hypothermia and that extended freezing temperatures may cause water pipes to rupture.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation said crews are preparing for what could become a significant statewide winter weather event. The agency has more than 78,000 cubic yards of salt stored at 121 salt houses and has 700 snowplows and 600 salt spreaders available.

Maintenance crews will begin pretreating highways and bridges ahead of the storm and will move to 24-hour operations starting Friday, working 12-hour shifts as conditions worsen. A statewide strike team of about 75 employees has also been activated to help clear major routes, including interstates and primary highways in northern Arkansas.

“Our crews are prepared and ready to face the incoming winter storm,” ARDOT State Maintenance Engineer Deric Wyatt said.

Officials urged residents to delay travel if possible and to check road conditions at IDriveArkansas.com. Weather officials also advised people to dress in layers, protect pets, safely use heating equipment and take steps to prevent water pipes from freezing.