The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management has activated the State Emergency Operations Center in North Little Rock ahead of a significant winter storm expected to impact much of the state beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend.
The elevated activation level will allow state agencies and partners to coordinate response efforts, handle resource requests from counties, and support life-safety, transportation, and power restoration needs as conditions worsen.
Forecasts indicate a large band of snow, sleet, ice, and freezing rain will move across Arkansas, bringing hazardous road conditions, possible power outages, and dangerous wind chills.
ADEM is urging residents to stay home and off the roads during the height of the storm for their own safety and to keep routes clear for emergency responders and utility crews. Those who must travel should check road conditions using IDrive Arkansas, allow extra travel time, and prepare for significantly slowed emergency response due to icy or snow-covered roads.
The agency has published a list of warming centers opening across the state, accessible through ADEM’s Citizen Portal under the “Shelters” tab. Additional winter weather safety information and resources are available on the Governor’s Winter Storm Resources page.
Officials recommend residents prepare a 72-hour home emergency kit before conditions worsen, including non-perishable food and water, flashlights with extra batteries, first-aid supplies, prescription medications, and warm clothing and blankets in case of extended power outages.
ADEM serves as Arkansas’s homeland security and preparedness agency, working to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters, and threats to the state.