We deployed our Strike Team from central Arkansas and other snowplow and salt brine tankers to aid Louisiana during their potentially record-setting winter weather event.

Watch the video below to hear more from ARDOT State Maintenance Engineer, Deric Wyatt. pic.twitter.com/XjOf2moS3e

— Arkansas Department of Transportation (@myARDOT) January 20, 2025

FORDYCE – As snow has settled in on much of Louisiana, employees with the Arkansas Department of Transportation are doing their best to make sure that roads are cleared, and that their colleagues in the Sportman’s Paradise have as much help as possible. ARDOT State Maintenance Engineer Deric Wyatt took to social media saying that crews were loading supplies in Fordyce, and then heading south to assist.

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“We always try to be good neighbors and go and help out our friends to the south whenever possible. We have worked out an emergency assistance agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation to go down and do some pre-treating with brine.” Wyatt said in a video on Twitter. “Our brine tankers are currently in the Baton Rouge area treating the I-10 corridor for the pending winter storm and as soon as we get our strike team plow trucks loaded with salt, all these trucks will be headed there to be ahead of the storm. We have approximately 70 employees from ARDOT that are going to be involved in this operation and we’re expected to hopefully keep the I-10 corridor open, keep the freight moving across that part of the country to help our economy and hopefully return safe later this week back to Arkansas.”

3.5 inches of snow had fallen in Lafayette as of Tuesday morning (PHOTO: Rob Perillo/KATC Television)

In Baton Rouge, residents of that area are expected to see eight inches of snow fall, and temperatures in the mid-twenties for the first time since 2018. Louisiana Climatologist Jay Grymes told 870 WWL that temperatures at or below freezing will essentially last the next couple of days, with only a brief period in the afternoon today and tomorrow — not enough time to melt snow or ice off roads.

“So be prepared to stay at home. Don’t get out,” he cautioned. “Be ready to stay essentially house-bound, not just Tuesday but Wednesday and even into Thursday.”

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that I-10 would be closed from Lafayette to just west of the Hammond area.

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EL DORADO – The Union County Community Foundation (UCCF) has announced that its annual grant application period for Union County non-profits will open on February 1 and close on February 16.

While most UCCF funds are designated for specific charitable purposes determined by donors, the foundation’s discretionary fund, known as the Union County Public Trust, allows the Board of Directors to award community grants to eligible organizations each year.

Non-profit organizations serving Union County are encouraged to submit applications during the two-week window. Applications can be submitted online, and grant recipients will be chosen based on their alignment with the foundation’s mission to support the local community.

“The Union County Public Trust is a vital resource for local non-profits working to address pressing community needs,” a UCCF spokesperson said. “We’re proud to support initiatives that make a difference in Union County.”

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For more information or to apply, visit the UCCF website. Non-profits are reminded to prepare their applications early to meet the February 16 deadline.

SHREVEPORT – Residents of Union County and Southwest Arkansas are bracing for a cold snap as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Freeze Warning effective from midnight Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday, alongside a Cold Weather Advisory in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The advisory warns of wind chill values as low as 10 degrees above zero, with temperatures expected to plummet to 12 degrees overnight during the freeze warning period. These conditions pose significant risks, including hypothermia with prolonged exposure, potential damage to outdoor plumbing, and the loss of crops and sensitive vegetation.

To prevent water pipes from freezing, the NWS recommends wrapping exposed pipes, draining them, or allowing faucets to drip slowly. Residents are also advised to ensure portable heaters are used safely and avoid using generators or grills indoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

The cold snap is part of a larger system affecting portions of southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, southeastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. Communities across Southwest Arkansas, including Union County, are advised to stay informed and take necessary measures to mitigate risks during this winter weather event.

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For updated forecasts and safety tips, visit weather.gov.

WARREN – A head-on collision on Arkansas State Highway 8 in Bradley County claimed the lives of two men and left two others injured Saturday afternoon, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m. when a 1982 Toyota T100, traveling west, and a 2023 GMC Sierra, traveling east, veered left of the centerline and collided head-on in the middle of the highway, state police reported.

The driver of the Toyota T100, Jerry Cotham, 58, of Fountain Hill, and his passenger, Jeffery Pinson, 60, of Longview, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were transported to Frazer’s Funeral Home.

The driver of the GMC Sierra, William Meeks, 22, of Crossett, and his passenger, Emily Rayford, 23, of Oak Grove, Louisiana, sustained injuries and were taken to Ashley County Medical Center for treatment.

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The crash occurred under clear skies and dry road conditions. The incident is under investigation by Arkansas State Police Trooper David J. Menotti. Notifications have been made to the next of kin.

SHREVEPORT – Residents across South Arkansas are being urged to take precautions as a Freeze Warning goes into effect tonight, bringing dangerously cold conditions to the region. The warning, issued by the National Weather Service in Shreveport, covers portions of south-central and southwest Arkansas, along with areas of northern Louisiana, northeast Texas, and southeast Oklahoma.

The warning will be in effect from midnight tonight through 9 a.m. Monday, with sub-freezing temperatures expected to dip into the mid to upper teens. These hard freeze conditions pose significant risks to crops, sensitive vegetation, and unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Communities within the warning area, including El Dorado, Hope, and Homer, are advised to prepare for the sudden drop in temperatures. Residents should ensure outdoor pipes are insulated, bring pets indoors, and cover or move vulnerable plants. Frost and freeze conditions could result in damage to agricultural crops and landscaping, making preparation essential.

Local emergency management teams and weather officials are closely monitoring the situation and encourage residents to stay informed through reliable sources. For up-to-date information, visit weather.gov/shv.

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This weather event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness during the winter season. Officials urge caution while traveling and advise checking on neighbors, especially the elderly, who may need assistance during the freeze.

Stay tuned for further updates as the cold front progresses through South Arkansas.