LITTLE ROCK – The City of Little Rock Storm Team gathered at the Emergency Operations Center Saturday afternoon for an update on the continued severe winter storm response.

“Crews from Public Works and Fleet Services are working around the clock to clear streets and maintain equipment,” said City Manager Bruce T. Moore. “We still encourage all residents to be very careful if they need to get out on the roads and to be especially mindful of our public works crews and emergency personnel.”

Street crews have cleared at least one traffic lane in each direction on all of the main arterial streets throughout the entire city. They are now moving on to collector and distributor streets in residential areas and will move further into neighborhoods as they complete this next level of roads. Public Works has been able to purchase salt as it is used, so stock piles remain near 100 percent.

“All of our departments are closely coordinating efforts to ensure a quick return to normal operations for Little Rock residents,” Mayor Mark Stodola said. “Safety is our number one priority during this winter storm clean up.”

Public Works has dedicated vehicles for clearing routes to hospital emergency rooms and other essential buildings. Crews will prioritize routes to nursing homes and other facilities that need ready access for emergency vehicles.

On Monday, crews will pick up trash from both Friday and Monday routes depending on road conditions. They plan to be back on their regular schedule by Tuesday, weather permitting. Recycling pick up will follow the same schedule as trash pick up. In order to expedite trash pick up, yard waste removal will resume later in the week.

“Emergency homeless shelters in the City say there are more than 140 open beds available,” said Moore. “They are also serving as day shelters while the temperatures are below freezing.”

City officials and the Red Cross will continue to monitor the need to open a warming center in the City. If that need should arise, staff is on standby and ready to operate a center.

“We recommend that citizens always have non-perishable food items, bottled fresh water and batteries on hand in preparation for emergency events like severe weather,” added Moore.

For emergencies, please dial 911. The City’s non-emergency 311 number will be staffed for extended hours from 7:30am until 7:00pm through Monday.

For up to date information about the response to severe winter weather inside Little Rock:

Twitter:  @CityLittleRock

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/CityLittleRock

City Media Releases:  www.littlerock.gov/CityManager/Divisions/PublicRelations

Red Cross: @ArkRedCross

Entergy Arkansas:  @Entergy

Ark State Road Conditions:  www.idrivearkansas.com