Frigid temps could keep local roads messy

Despite a covering of snow and sleet on the roadways, the wintery mix that fell Sunday night and into Monday morning hasn't caused many issues in the Blytheville community.

But city officials are looking ahead at what this sleet and snow could mean for the area over the next few days.

Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson said while the roads were a little slippery Sunday night and throughout Monday no major accidents or power outages were reported and traffic was moving pretty smoothly.

A snow plow heads onto the Highway 18 overpass Monday morning.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders said he had been in contact with the Arkansas Highway Department and had crews out working on Monday to get the roadways as clear as possible.

But both Sanders and Thompson said the biggest concern is what could happen over the next few days.

"My biggest concern is this isn't going to melt," Thompson said. "We're going to get a hard freeze overnight and that could make things worse."

Sanders expressed similar views as Thompson.

"Ice is unpredictable, but we're keeping and eye on it," Sanders said. "We don't really know what's going to happen, so right now we're just watching it -- keeping an eye on it. We're going to do the best we can to keep people safe and keep the roads clear."

"The Police Department has a four-wheel-drive vehicle that they're going to be out with, helping people where they can like last year," the mayor continued. "We're just going to keep watching this and see just how it goes over the next few days."

By mid-day Monday, Blytheville Public Schools, Armorel Public Schools, Gosnell Public Schools and KIPP: Blytheville had all announced that there would be no classes Tuesday.

The Walker Park wildlife gets accustomed to the recent snowfall Monday morning.

Blytheville Superintendent Richard Atwill announced around 11:10 a.m. that Blytheville Public Schools would be closed Tuesday because of the poor road conditions.

While Atwill's call may seem to have come a little early, the superintendent said safety of the children as well as the faculty and staff was paramount.

Despite being more than halfway through February, Blytheville Schools have yet to miss a day this term because of winter weather prior to Tuesday's closing.

Atwill said the road conditions will be re-evaluated on Tuesday to determine whether or not the district would make any changes in scheduling for Wednesday.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com