LITTLE ROCK — A state of emergency has been declared in Arkansas in response to a storm dropping ice and snow across the region. Two semis have jackknifed in separate parts of the state, and a handful of accident have been reported on slick roads.
Classes have already been canceled at dozens of schools, including the Little Rock School District and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for much of the state with snow totals up to a foot expected in the north and up to 2 inches possible in the central region. Ice accumulations are expected to reach up to a quarter inch for most of the state. As much as three quarters of an inch of ice are forecast in an area from Waldron to Conway to Searcy, according to the latest National Weather Service update.
Lance Pyle, a meteorologist with the weather service, said the icing may make traveling dangerous.
"Don't go out unless you absolutely have to," he said. "A lot of schools and businesses are closing, so really it's just best to stay at home."
A truck jack-knifed near the 2900 block of Pershing Road in North Little Rock around 8:30. Separately, Rogers police and Arkansas State Police reported an 18-wheeler that jack-knifed between the Lowell and Pleasant Grove exits on Interstate 540. Both northbound lanes are blocked. A wrecker is enroute and scanner traffic indicates the Arkansas Highway Department has a crew enroute to the area, also.
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In Little Rock, dispatchers were receiving reports of slick spots on overpasses and on the Cantrell Road hill. Arkansas State Police dispatchers in Little Rock, meanwhile, reported "numerous traffic accidents" during the morning commute.
No serious injuries were reported on state highways as of Friday morning. But Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said there were a number of vehicles off the roads.
Troopers in far northern counties were reporting snow and ice across roadways, but conditions seemed to be improving elsewhere in the state, Sadler said. As of 10:15 a.m., troopers in Fort Smith were reporting temperatures above freezing and only wet roadways. Interstate 40 was open with no problems reported. And traffic in the Little Rock metropolitan appeared to be running smoother than it was earlier in the morning.
"We're not out of the woods yet but we're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll dodge the bullet on this one," Sadler said.
Little Rock National Airport reported a number of flights were canceled, and one Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas was diverted.
The state Highway and Transportation Department is reporting wintry conditions ranging from slush to ice to snow on roadways across the northern half of Arkansas. Click here for a map.
David Nilles, a spokesman for the highway department, said crews have been treating roadways since 8 p.m. Thursday and are ready to work "into the evening hours" as necessary. Conditions this morning are generally worse in the northern part of the state, where he said some roads are already snow-covered.
"The forecast is calling for snow later today, so it's probably just going to get worse," he said. "We just hope everybody keeps it slow."
The emergency declaration, made early this morning by Gov. Mike Beebe, makes available up to $20,000 from the governor's disaster fund for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management to supply support and resources as needed. The Arkansas National Guard also has personnel and supplies ready to aid as needed.
The declaration also initiated Beebe's inclement weather policy, which states only essential personnel are required to report to work.
Pyle said the ice will build up on power lines and trees. Winds expected to gust up to 20 mph then "increase the chance for damage," he said.
As of 6:15 a.m., Entergy was reporting 16 power failures across the state affecting 1,662 customers. The utility said earlier this week it was bracing for the possibility of power failures because of the ice.
Oaklawn Park track announcer Terry Wallace said Friday morning that live thoroughbred racing will go on as scheduled.
Wallace says training was taking place Friday morning and that track conditions were fine for racing.
Post time is 1 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. for live racing, and at 10 a.m. for electronic gambling.
Information for this article was contributed by The Associated Press.