City of Little Rock Prepares for Winter Weather Impact

LITTLE ROCK - The City of Little Rock is making preparations now for an impending winter storm expected to impact Arkansas's capital city starting Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Thursday into Friday, with snowfall totals predicted to be between 6 and 8 inches.

Here are the latest winter weather updates from the City of Little Rock.

Streets and Bridges

Crews from the Public Works Department will begin working in continuous 12-hour shifts on Thursday to clear city streets of snow or ice. Crews will first pre-treat specific bridges, overpasses and some steep streets before precipitation starts.

At the onset of a snow event, crews will treat Little Rock's nine designated snow routes before moving to secondary and neighborhood streets. Residents are asked to please keep in mind that some City streets are state highways, and those particular streets are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Little Rock's Public Works team is equipped with 17 trucks that will be fitted with salt spreaders and snowplows. Front-end loaders, back hoes and motor graders will also be used by work crews totaling 60 team members during the day and 50 during overnight hours.

The City uses a sand/salt mixture to treat streets, and that mixture is stored in three separate locations so that trucks can be quickly and efficiently loaded.

Public Meetings

Public meetings scheduled for Thursday have been postponed. Those include the Little Rock Planning Commission's meeting originally scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, and the Citizen Review Board meeting.

The Planning Commission will hear all matters on Thursday's agenda at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting in February. That meeting is Thursday, Feb. 13, at 4 p.m. at City Hall.

Emergency Shelter

Little Rock's overnight emergency shelter at Dunbar Community Center will be open again this evening starting at 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. Thursday. However, with Thursday's expected snowfall, it is likely the shelter will transition to a 24-hour operation on Thursday afternoon.

The shelter at 1001 W. 16th St. is open to anyone who needs warm, safe place to stay overnight and to all in need of a meal.

Transportation to and from the City's shelter is being coordinated by Little Rock-based nonprofit The Van. To request transportation, call (501) 955-3444.

During daytime hours, residents seeking a space to get out of the cold may go to one of the City's community centers between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Those locations include Dunbar; West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road; Stephens Community Center, 3720 W. 18th St.; and Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road.

Because of the sheltering operation, the gymnasium at Dunbar is closed to other activities for the remainder of the week. Other spaces at Dunbar remain open.

Emergency Services

During winter storms, motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off roadways unless travel is absolutely necessary. Drivers who must be traveling are urged to be patient and vigilant around other motorists and especially around crews working to clear the streets. Maintain plenty of distance between other vehicles to avoid sudden braking that would cause a vehicle to skid. Also, make sure to leave plenty of space for trucks and equipment being used to clear city streets under difficult circumstances.

Motorists who must drive are asked to visit www.LittleRock.gov and follow the City of Little Rock on Facebook, X or Instagram to learn of any weather-related street closures.

The Little Rock police department, fire department and 911 center will remain fully staffed and operational through the duration of the winter weather event.

Trash and Recycling

City of Little Rock sanitation and WM recycling pickup will likely be delayed during a winter storm because of expected dangerous road conditions. This delay not only helps ensure the safety of drivers and residents, but it also allows Public Works crews to work more effectively and efficiently to clear roads of snow and ice.

Any time trash or recycling pickup is missed or delayed, the City will inform residents about rescheduled pickup dates.

For the latest winter weather updates from the City of Little Rock, follow the City on Facebook, X or Instagram.