Arctic invasion brings deadly cold

Eureka Springs resident Laurel Owen was walking her dogs Lissa and Damien along Mill Hollow on Sunday to check out road conditions on nearby Main Street (Ark. Hwy. 23) to see if she might be able to drive to Berryville where she works at the hospital. Conditions worsened again Wednesday night as a new cold front brought freezing rain and snow. Anna Mathews / CCN [Order this photo]

CARROLL COUNTY -- As the icy grip of winter took its hold upon the area with snow, ice and sub-zero winds whipping across the landscape, emergency personnel this week were gearing up to lend a hand to those who might need shelter from the cold.

Temperatures today, Friday, were expected to top out at seven degrees and dip to minus five degrees overnight with a stiff breeze responsible for a sub-zero Wind Chill Advisory.

The first snowfall of 2010 descended shortly after revelers rang in the New Year and never departed. Just as rural roadways showed signs of safe passage, a second blast of winter precipitation arrived to coat surfaces with a glaze of ice to accompany the coldest temperatures in decades.

Schools never reopened after the Christmas break because of snow and ice packed rural roadways.

As the first full week of the New Year was drawing to a close, Gov. Mike Beebe declared a State of Emergency to help Arkansas officials respond to the severe temperatures, winds, and winter precipitation.

The declaration carried with it up to $50,000 from the Governor's Disaster Fund for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management to supply additional support and resources if needed.

He said the extreme temperatures and strong winds may create a risk for emergencies.

"Hopefully we won't need these emergency provisions, but we want to stay one step ahead of these conditions and the dangers they could present our people," he said.

The Arkansas National Guard was also preparing to provide additional support if necessary, Beebe added, saying, "Our local communities have the plans and resources in place to deal with severe winter conditions. However, if large numbers of Arkansans are left without power and warmth in the brutal conditions, the State will do all we can to get them sheltered."

Locally, Jason Morris, director of the Carroll County Office of Emergency Management, said personnel were on standby to open shelters if necessary.

As of Thursday morning, no calls for help had been received, he said.

"We have the Berryville Fire Department ready to roll as an emergency shelter," he said, "and we've had offers from churches in Eureka Springs and Green Forest."

Morris said 911 dispatchers have been advised to let law enforcement and other emergency personnel know that if they come across people in need of help to contact him or the Red Cross.

Capt. Alan Hoos, with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, said deputies there have been advised to do all they can to assist people in need, but if the need is something beyond their capability, they will contact OEM or the Red Cross. Those situations have not come up as yet, he said.

Other than dealing with slick road conditions, he said the sheriff's office is operating "as usual," with deputies able to get out and around in four-wheel drive vehicles. Some support staff have not been able to drive to the sheriff's office because of icy roads, he said, but neither has the general public, which lessens the need for a full staff.

County Judge Sam Barr issued a statement mid-week regarding roads.

He said the road department went to work Sunday after the first snow of the New Year fell.

"We used 11 graders to scrape off snow from roadways, leaving only small amounts in hopes that the sun would melt the rest," he said.

"We had three chipper-spreader trucks and sent them to dangerous hills and curves, spreading chat and a mixture of salt.

"Only a small amount of salt can be used on dirt roads," he said. "Salt brings moisture to the surface and can destroy a dirt road if too much is applied.

"Wednesday, we added one more chipper truck, which makes a total of four units," he said. "We are trying to get to every county road to make them as safe as possible." Barr concluded his statement by thanking everyone for their patience.

In the City of Berryville, Mayor Tim McKinney addressed the issue when he met with the city council on Tuesday, saying street crews had sanded intersections, but that was about all they could do because the snow was so densely packed on the roadways. He cautioned all to be careful.

Road conditions were similar across the area with state and local agencies concentrating on major traffic routes and intersections.

According to a National Weather Service forecast, sunny skies and temperatures near 40 are expected by the first of the week.