An estimated 5,000 people in Southeast Arkansas were without power Thursday afternoon as a result of the storm that passed through the state, according to Entergy Arkansas spokeswoman Diane Tatum.
In the four states covered by Entergy — Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Louisiana — about 800,000 people were without power, Tatum said.
“There will be little work done (to repair the lines) until the bulk of the storm passes,” Tatum said. “We will obviously address critical areas like hospitals, emergency responders and the like, but customers can expect service to be restored when we feel that it is safe to work in those areas.”
Downed power lines were also reported in the area.
Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb said the road department has picked up extra loads of sand and has “a couple of hundred bags of sand bagged up if it’s needed.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We’re taking extra precautions because we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Holcomb said. “We’re got the equipment ready and the men on stand-by.”
In addition, Holcomb said volunteer fire departments throughout the county will be on standby if they’re needed.
“If we get the call from OEM (Office of Emergency Management) we will be ready to answer it,” Holcomb said.
In the Pine Bluff area, tree limbs were down, several trees were blown over and a few traffic accidents were reported Thursday evening.
Mayor Lafayette Woods Jr. with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department said the county will be coordinating with the city of Pine Bluff, county OEM and the Southeast Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross during the storm.
The sheriff’s department has its reserve unit on standby in the event they are needed to help evacuate people from flooded areas. The department’s boats are also ready to be used if necessary in the county as well as in the city which requested help earlier Thursday, he said.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service reported that Pine Bluff had received approximately an inch of rain by 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
“A heavy band is moving in and another couple of inches is likely in the next few hours,” NWS Meteorologist Charles Dalton said.
The weather service website reported that the slow-moving Isaac weakened to a depression over northern Louisiana and flooding rains continued across southeastern Louisiana and Mississippi.
A flash flood watch remained in effect through late Friday night and continues for portions of Central Arkansas, Eastern Arkansas, north Central Arkansas, Southeast Arkansas, Southwest Arkansas and Western Arkansas, the weather service said.
Heavy rainfall of 2 to over 5 inches is expected through much of Friday.
“Even with the ongoing drought conditions across much of Arkansas, heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flash flooding,” the weather service said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Mike Beebe declared a state of emergency to assist with the transport of harvested crops during Arkansas’ severe drought, his office said.
“The declaration is intended to help Arkansas farmers who are experiencing navigation and transportation difficulties due to the low flow on the Mississippi River. The declaration temporarily authorizes issuance of special permits from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for the transport of agricultural products (specifically corn, rice, soybeans, and grain sorghum) to their destinations on controlled access highways, provided that the load does not exceed 85,000 pounds. This declaration is in effect for 30 days and may be extended depending on future conditions,” the governor’s office said.