Governor declares state of emergency for winter storm

Governor Beebe declared a State of Emergency this morning in response to the ice and snow already in the state, and accumulations are expected to continue. The declaration carries with it up to $20,000 from the Governor's Disaster Fund for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management to supply additional support and resources if needed.

With road conditions expected to deteriorate as the day progresses, Beebe also initiated his Inclement Weather Policy, stating that only those State employees designated as essential personnel by their agencies are required to report to work today. A separate declaration will suspend some federal guidelines that regulate utility trucks. This will allow utility companies to work extra hours in responding to outages and storm damage. The Arkansas National Guard also has personnel and supplies ready to go for emergency response.

We're not getting any ice down here in Texarkana -- plenty wet, but hovering just above the freezing mark.