LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — For the second day in a row, all state office buildings except for critical operations will be closed Wednesday due to the likelihood of roads refreezing overnight following this weekend’s winter storm, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday.
In a news release from her office, Sanders instructed state employees who can telework to work virtually during the snow day and said agencies may implement “liberal” leave policies for employees who cannot telework.
State employees not affected by the winter storm are being asked to contact a supervisor for further instruction.
Sanders on Friday declared a state of emergency and activated assistance of the Arkansas National Guard ahead of Sunday’s winter storm.
Through executive order, Sanders declared the emergency and said she would be directing $250,000 from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to be used to defray program and administrative costs of the state’s Division of Emergency Management.
“I have joined my team here in the SEOC [Arkansas State Emergency Operations Center], and we will remain here for the duration,” ADEM Director A.J. Gary said in a statement Sunday. “Our top priority is to be ready if something serious happens.”
In addition to the order declaring a state of emergency, the Republican governor also signed an executive order to exempt certain commercial vehicles hauling essential items such as fuel, groceries, and livestock from feral regulations restricting hours of service for the next two weeks.
Heavy snow started falling in Arkansas Sunday afternoon as temperatures began to drop. Although much of the snow exited the state Monday, the freezing temperatures remain in place at least through Wednesday.
