Arkansas Governor Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm

Winter Storm Preparedness in Arkansas

• ❄️ Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency in response to an approaching winter storm.
• 🚨 The governor directed $250,000 to implement emergency measures and deployed approximately 170 members of the Arkansas National Guard to assist communities.
• 💡 The state is preparing for two waves of the storm, with teams working around the clock to mitigate its impact.

Power Outages and Infrastructure Response

• ⚡ Over 6,000 residents are currently without power, with around 3,500 utility workers engaged in non-stop efforts to restore electricity.
• 🛣️ The Arkansas Department of Transportation has pre-treated nearly 16,000 miles of state highways and deployed 700 plows to clear roads.
• 🌐 A dedicated website, help.arkansas.com, has been established for residents to report outages, find warming shelters, and access resources.

Storm Impact and Public Guidance

• 🥶 The storm is bringing abnormally cold temperatures and significant snow and ice to Arkansas, which typically experiences warmer weather.
• ⚠️ Residents are strongly encouraged to take the storm seriously, stay off the roads, and follow guidance from state and local officials to avoid unnecessary risks.

Schooling Decisions Amidst the Storm

• 🏫 Decisions regarding in-person versus remote learning are being left to local school districts, considering the varied impact across different regions.
• 📚 The goal is to resume in-person learning as soon as it is safe, prioritizing student and staff safety.