All departments of the City of Jonesboro are preparing for a potentially prolonged winter weather event expected to descend on the Northeast Arkansas tonight.
Emergency response teams are closely monitoring conditions around the city and region, and Mayor Harold Copenhaver met with his administration chiefs Tuesday afternoon to ensure a comprehensive plan includes all departments.
“We know the weather will be cold, but we don’t know how dangerous or severe the impact will be,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “So our emergency responders will be working around the clock to keep Jonesboro safe and residents informed.”
As per National Weather Service warning, travel is strongly discouraged during this time, and anyone who must travel should carry a flashlight, food and water in case of emergency.
City community centers are open to anyone seeking a warm space during the coming week and beyond, if necessary, in complement to the Salvation Army’s decision to open its facilities around the clock through the weekend.
The Earl Bell Community Center is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and noon-5 p.m. Saturday, while Allen and Parker parks are open 3:30-9 p.m. weekdays and noon-5 p.m. Saturday.
As always, call 9-1-1 for any emergency, but Jonesboro and Craighead County E-911 Director Jeff Presley stressed that residents should not call 911 for non-emergency concerns.
“If someone is in danger or you see downed or sparking power lines, that’s an emergency,” Presley said. “But a power outage or checking on road conditions is not. Please leave the emergency lines open for actual emergencies.”
Traffic alerts will be updated continuously at all hours on City of Jonesboro social media, as well as Dispatch NEA page on Facebook and Jonesboro911@D1Jonesboro on Twitter. Also follow local news media for up to the minute information.
For non-emergency concerns:
· CWL outages: Go online to cservice@jonesborocwl.org 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, or call 870-935-5581
· Craighead Electric outages: Go online to craigheadelectric.coop/outage-storm-center or call 888-771-7772
· Road conditions: Go online to idrivearkansas.com
· State Police: For accidents on I-555, call Troop C, Jonesboro Dispatch at 870-935-7302. If an accident involves serious injury, call 9-1-1
· JET city bus service: Call 870-935-5387
While the Arkansas Department of Transportation is spraying a layer of chemicals over highways Tuesday afternoon, the City Streets Department is monitoring conditions around Jonesboro every two hours and will treat streets to reduce ice buildup as needed.
JET is implementing its inclement weather protocol, and will announce by 4 a.m. whether service is available. If schools are open and ice is minimal, service will operate as normal as possible. If roads are icy but expected to clear, routes will begin at 10 a.m.
Sure hope Paragould gets more supplies soon to spread on the streets before the next wave. Lots of streets haven’t been properly taken care of during this first wave. Our side of town is being neglected.