State of emergency declared for Arkansas amid winter weather

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) – As winter weather continues to move through Arkansas, more action is being taken at the state level.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders passed an executive order to declare a state of emergency in Arkansas.

In a news release, Sanders explained the winter weather is limiting commercial vehicles from accomplishing the tasks necessary to restore power to Arkansas citizens.

“The winter weather has resulted in dangerous road conditions, creating a backlog of deliveries by commercial vehicles transporting essential items of commerce to customers in Arkansas,” she said.

There is no date as to when the state of emergency will be lifted.

On Monday, Jan. 30, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders passed an executive order to direct $250,000 to be obligated from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to be used by the Director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.

“Adverse circumstances have been brought to bear upon the citizens and public properties within Arkansas,” a news release said. “These political subdivisions require supplemental assistance from the state to recover from these losses.”

On the same day, Sanders activated the Arkansas National Guard to help Arkansas State Police “around the clock” with stranded drivers as the storm passes through.