Storm drops record-setting snow in central Ark.
By The Associated Press
This article was published February 8, 2010 at 5:29 p.m.
PHOTO BY KAREN E. SEGRAVE
The Old Mill in North Little Rock is blanketed in snow on Monday. Heavy snow fell in Central Arkansas leaving more than five inches in some places and catching nearly everyone by surprise.
Commute turns slushy, slippery
An overnight storm originally expected to primarily affect points farther north has dropped more acc...
A winter storm blindsided much of central Arkansas on Monday, dropping a half-foot of snow in the capital city and closing schools and businesses.
A winter storm warning was issued for parts of Arkansas from Hot Springs north to the Missouri border, with forecasters predicting a treacherous commute Tuesday because of snow-covered bridges, overpasses and roads. Roads throughout the capital city were filled with slush Monday afternoon, and forecasters expected temperatures to drop into the 20s overnight.
“When those temperatures fall overnight, the morning could be real hazardous,” said Marty Trexler, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Little Rock.
Forecasters initially expected the storm to hit north Clarksville and east to the Heber Springs area, but it dropped south and hit the central Arkansas area, Trexler said. Little Rock and North Little Rock each set snowfall records for Feb. 8, with about 4 inches falling in each area as of 4 p.m., Trexler said.
Several areas in White County saw 7 or more inches of snow, while Conway reported 5 inches.
Authorities reported numerous traffic accidents, but no serious injuries. Interstate 40 eastbound into Little Rock was tied up for a time, as were other routes in and around the capital, where roads were slushy.
Several accidents were reported, but there were no serious injuries as of Monday afternoon.
Gov. Mike Beebe put the state’s inclement weather policy into effect, giving state workers an extra two hours to get to their offices, but most agencies sent their workers home early.
The Arkansas General Assembly convened at noon for a fiscal session to determine the state budget for the coming year, but already called off meeting Tuesday.
Entergy Arkansas had about 14,000 customers without power late afternoon, with the majority in the Little Rock and Hot Springs areas
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