Students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are faced with a question as a hazardous winter storm approaches Southeast Arkansas: “Should I stay or should I go?”
The university offered guidance for residential students in deciding whether to stay or leave campus. UAPB asked those who plan to leave to do so before Friday afternoon, as a winter storm warning for most of the state takes effect at noon and will last through 6 p.m. Sunday.
Shamar Taylor, a sophomore from West Memphis, is not leaving anytime soon.
“I really bought a bunch of food for this semester, so I already got the food,” Taylor said. “I do got a car, so I use the old trick of throwing a big towel over your windshield so your windshield won’t mess up.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Taylor wasn’t sure whether many students from his residence hall would stay or leave campus ahead of the weather event. UAPB stated faculty and students will conduct Friday’s classes via “virtual modalities,” asking students to contact professors for further information about coursework.
Campus business operations will occur remotely starting Friday, UAPB announced. Dining hours have been modified, and the most current schedule is available at uapb.campusdish.com. As for those students who are traveling, the university has asked them to use sound judgment.
Pivoting to online learning is a lot easier than in recent years, Taylor said. Online learning was common during the covid-19 pandemic of 2020-21.
“Except for like, when you’ve got to go to class at a certain time, usually you can wake up and do it anytime you want,” Taylor said. “Me, personally, I did most of my online work like in the first couple of weeks. It was easier to do so I could get a load off my back.”
The National Weather Service issued the winter storm warning and an extreme cold warning for most of Southeast Arkansas to go in effect from midnight Saturday (after 11:59 p.m. Friday) to noon Monday. Dangerously cold wind chills of minus-5 degrees to minus-15 or lower are expected. The Weather Service cautioned that such wind chills could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.
Friday’s high is expected to be 37 with a 20% chance of snow or sleet, then a 50 to 90% chance of wintry mix with a low of 14 that night. Saturday’s forecast calls for a 100% chance of sleet throughout the day with a high of 15 and low of 13, and Sunday will see an 80% chance of snow drop to 30%, but temperatures going from 19 degrees to 2.
Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high of 25.
Those like Taylor, who plays in the university’s Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South band, who intend to stay on campus are asked to notify their residence hall coordinator as soon as possible for safety and staffing purposes. The university endured ruptured water pipes following two snowstorms in February 2021, forcing displaced students to hotels in Pine Bluff and Little Rock for about two weeks. An aged infrastructure that widely impacted Pine Bluff was a factor in the ruptures.
“However, UAPB has installed meters to alert if a pipe has failed, which will allow us to respond faster,” UAPB Chief of Staff Janet Broiles said. “Also, (the university is) working to drain the buildings that are not in use so that water is not in the pipes and toilets.”
The Weather Service reminds people to dress in layers including a hat, face mask and gloves; prevent water pipes from freezing by either wrapping or draining them or allowing them to drip slowly; make sure outdoor animals have warm and dry shelter, food and unfrozen water; and make frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors.
“Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside,” the Weather Service stated.
MORE SAFETY TIPS
Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services offered other cold weather safety tips:
Never use blow torches or high-intensity heat sources to thaw frozen pipes, whether inside or underneath your home.
Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including curtains, furniture and betting.
Have your heating system inspected by a qualified professional to ensure it’s operating safely and efficiently.
If using a generator, make sure it is well-maintained and placed outdoors at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and vents. Direct the exhaust away from combustible materials with about 3 to 4 feet of clearance.
When warming up your vehicle, always open your garage door to allow for proper ventilation.
Make sure to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
The city of Pine Bluff will also operate a warming center at the Opportunity House, 1305 E. Sixth Ave. Anyone who needs emergency assistance is asked to call 911.
SEARK/UAM
Southeast Arkansas College announced if the campus closes due to inclement weather, it will transition to online instruction to ensure learning without interruption.
“Students should check their SEARK email and Canvas regularly for updates and specific instructions from their instructors,” the college stated.
The Reef Residence Hall will remain open for its residents, but Shark Bites Café will be closed if the campus is closed, SEARK announced.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello has announced its campuses in Monticello, McGehee and Crossett will operate on modified class schedules for Friday.
At UAM, all classes will shift to virtual instruction. At the UAM Colleges of Technology in Crossett and McGehee, morning classes will be held as normal, but classes beginning noon or later will be canceled.
Offices on all campuses will remain open and staff are asked to report as normal. “This is subject to change as weather conditions are monitored,” UAM announced.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Each of Jefferson County’s school districts issued reports ahead of the winter storm, but neither has postponed classes as a result, as of Thursday afternoon.
Students at Edgewood Elementary in the Watson Chapel School District were dismissed at noon Thursday due to a water leak resulting in water being shut off to the entire campus, Superintendent Keith McGee confirmed. The leak has been repaired.
The WCSD announced early dismissal times for Friday:
Coleman and Edgewood elementaries: 2 p.m.
Watson Chapel Junior High School: 2:50 p.m.
Watson Chapel High School: 3 p.m.
The Pine Bluff School District announced it would follow a regular schedule with normal dismissal Friday.
“At this time, weather conditions are not expected to affect our area until later in the day,” the district stated on social media. “We will continue to monitor the forecast and will keep families informed should plans change.”
PBSD Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree said during a Wednesday school board work session a determination would be made by Sunday whether to postpone Monday’s regular school board meeting.
The White Hall School District said families would be notified as soon as possible if an early release becomes necessary.
“We encourage families to begin making any necessary preparations now,” the WHSD stated.
This story is UPDATED with early release times for Watson Chapel School District campuses.
