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Snow blankets region, closes some schools |
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Tuesday, 04 March 2008 |
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By Matt Burks
Courier Staff A winter storm system moved across Arkansas today, bringing sleet and snow and causing at least one school closure in Saline County, but no major accidents from hazardous road conditions.
“We have taken a call of three accidents in the county since last night around 10 p.m.,” said Dean Riggin, director of Saline County Office of Emergency Management 911 communications. “It appears we have had nothing out of the ordinary [in Saline County].”
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories as the storm moved northeast across the state with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches of snow in Saline County.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. It also warns travelers to be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility and to use caution while driving.
Both the Benton and Bryant police departments said early today that although there hasn’t been a large number of accidents reported since the winter weather occurred this morning, they have worked a few.
A representative of the Bryant Police Department said since 6 a.m. the department has fielded three wrecks in the city. A representative of the Benton Police Department said that at 4 a.m., one wreck occurred on Interstate-30 in front of Bullock’s Shell Station and one other accident happened in the city since 6:30 a.m.
Because of these road conditions, the Bryant School District closed all their schools, but Harmony Grove, Benton and Bauxite remained open. All schools in Saline County are expected to reopen on Wednesday as the snow is expected to dissipate late today.
The forecast for Wednesday calls for mostly sunny, with a high near 59 and a low around 35, according to the National Weather Service.
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