Residents encouraged to stay home during storm
As the threat of a major ice storm continues to loom over the area, local emergency officials are encouraging residents to stay in their homes and off the roads for the next 72 hours.
“We are planning for the worst and hoping for the best,” said Texarkana, Texas, Fire Chief/ Emergency Management Director Eric Schlotter. “We are trying to get word out that everyone needs to have a plan in place so you don’t have to leave home.”
The ice storm warning for Southwest Arkansas and Northeast Texas went into effect this morning and will remain in effect through this afternoon. The storm is the result of an arctic cold front that has been moving southeast and is expected to affect millions of people and threatens to cut power for hundreds of thousands from northern Texas to western Kentucky.
Travel by vehicle or
foot will be dangerous during and after the storm because of icy roads and falling trees and power lines.
Rain along the Interstate 30 corridor began Thursday. Freezing temperatures were expected by sunset Thursday and could result in ice on bridges and overpasses, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La.
“It’s coming,” said Aaron Stevens, observing program leader for the National Weather Service in Shreveport.
“And it’s coming a little quicker than we expected,” Stevens said about 4 p.m. Thursday.
He said the temperature was 31 degrees in McCurtain County, Okla., and ice was already falling and accumulating on the trees.
“The temperatures are rapidly going down. The cold air is rapidly coming in,” Stevens said.
He said temperatures in Texarkana were in the low 50s Thursday morning and had dropped to 37 degrees by afternoon.
Ice accumulations of 1/2 inch are expected northwest of I-30 today with a possible 1/4 of an inch accumulating in areas south of I-30.
Schlotter said Texas-side city officials met early Thursday to plan operations for the next 72 hours. The Texarkana, Texas, police and fire departments, public works department, and Texarkana Water Utilities will work with other area agencies to combine resources in the case of a major weather event.
Crews will be working throughout the weekend as needed to clear roadways of debris, ensure traffic runs smoothly and utilities are intact.
Schlotter said the biggest concerns are icy roads and power outages. Trucks loaded with sand bags are ready to roll as soon as they are notified.
‘Hopefully, we can make it through the weekend and then temperatures will start to rise,” he said.
Residents can sign up to receive weather alerts through CodeRed on the city’s Website www.ci.texarkana.tx.us.
Many area residents hit the grocery stores Thursday to stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food. There were long lines at the Walmart on Arkansas Boulevard.
“You would think an ice storm was coming or something,” said one man jokingly as he reached for a loaf of bread in the store.
Texarkana, Ark., City Manager Harold Boldt said the city has dump trucks loaded with sand that will be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“Hopefully that will make the streets somewhat driveable,” Boldt said.
He said the city will also work closely with Texarkana Water Utilities and local power companies if those services are needed.
Jesse Ferrell, weather expert and storm chaser for AccuWeather.com, said,”This will be the worst ice storm for the United States since January 2009 and will affect many of the same areas as that storm.”
Adding to potential damage or complicating cleanup further, a second round of ice will follow in some areas over the weekend as a second large storm rolls in from the Southwestern states.
“Every few years there is a blockbuster ice storm somewhere in the U.S. and these storms are no stranger to the South Central region,” Ferrell said.
The Texarkana Area Chapter of the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps to stay safe during possibly threatening winter weather over the coming days.
“By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger,” said John Davis, executive director of the Texarkana Area Chapter. “Icy roads and power outages can create a dangerous situation. We can help you and your family create a disaster preparedness plan as our community may see dangerously low temperatures, snow, ice and strong winds.”
The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for winter storms by:
Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Pack a winter-specific supply kit that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing. Sand or nonclumping kitty litter is good to have on hand to help make walkways or steps less slippery. Additionally, make sure you have a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a batterypowered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.
Heeding Storm Warnings: A winter storm watch means winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions via NOAA Weather radio, or local radio or television stations. A winter storm warning means that life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Individuals in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
Preparing Your Home and Car: Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full, which will help to keep the fuel line from freezing. Make sure your home is properly insulated by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to help keep cold air out. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. Running water, even at a trickle, helps to prevent pipes from freezing.
“We have been fortunate so far this winter that most of the hazardous weather has stayed just north and west of our area,” said Davis. “However, it appears chances are much stronger for accumulation with this system and we have begun contacting local emergency managers, putting shelters on alert and strategically readying supplies and shelter workers.”
For more information on winter storm preparedness, contact the Texarkana Area Chapter of the American Red Cross at 903793-5602 or visit redcross.org/ northeasttexas.