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Little Rock readies 17 snow-plow trucks, stockpiles salt and plans 24-hour shelter as storm approaches
Summary
City directors and public works staff described snow response plans including 17 plow/spreader vehicles, split crews and activation of Dunbar Community Center as a 24-hour shelter if forecasted snowfall arrives.
City staff told the Little Rock City Board of Directors on Jan. 7 that the city has prepared equipment and personnel for a forecasted winter storm and will operate warming centers and an emergency shelter if needed.
"Potentially 6 inches of snow is what the latest reports are," Director Honeywell said, describing the city's operational plan. "We have 12 snow plow spreader trucks that are already set up and ready to go. We have 5 additional smaller trucks... 17 total trucks. We also have road graders, front end loaders... approximately 60 employees on the day time shift and 50 employees on the night time shift."
Honeywell said crews are split into 12-hour day and night shifts and that sand-and-salt stockpiles are staged at three city locations. The city's nine established primary snow routes will be cleared first, with crews then moving into adjoining streets. Maps of snow-plow routes are available on the city's public-works web page, Honeywell added.
Mayor Scott and other directors said the city has activated emergency-shelter operations and warming-center services. The city reported it would activate a 24-hour operation at Dunbar Community Center if conditions warrant, and that community centers already operate as warming centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Honeywell and other directors urged residents to consult the city's website for route maps and shelter information.
Why it matters: The city’s operational readiness affects safety and mobility during a forecasted winter storm and signals available shelter options for unsheltered residents. Officials also noted potential planning impacts: the planning commission cancelled its Thursday meeting because of the forecast and rescheduled items into February.
Ending: Officials said they will monitor forecasts and implement the 12-hour crew rotations and shelter activations if the storm materializes; the board asked staff to provide updates as conditions change.
