2 p.m. Update: Power has been restored to most of the eastern part of Monticello. Power is out to 74% of Drew County, a slight improvement. Bradley County remains at 88% without power.
1:15 p.m. Update: County Judge Jessie Griffin told the Advance this afternoon that Drew County has been declared a disaster area by the State. The declaration will make state funds available for the cleanup and repairs of the infrastructure.
12:30 p.m. Update: Shortly after noon, Steve Richardson, partner in Patriot Fuel, told the Advance that they have been surprised by the demand for fuel and food today. But they were able to get a fuel delivery last night and, for now, they have plenty of fuel. They also just purchased more food to help keep up with the demand.
Cash Saver is also now open.
10:30 a.m. Update: Falling limbs have escalated over the last few hours. They are blocking roads and continue to take down power lines.
9:30 a.m. Update: Nearly 90% of Drew and Bradley Counties were without power.
9 a.m. Update: The lines at the new Patriot Fuel Truck Stop show that it is one of the few places to get gas this morning in Monticello.
8:20 a.m. Update: Most of the Highway 425 businesses were without power as of 8:20 this morning. Walmart is open. Save-A-Lot and Cash Saver are without power. Union Bank and Commercial Bank are operating on generator power.
Most of the traffic lights are now stop signs, so traffic is hectic. Exercise caution.
Original update: Southeast Arkansans woke to another round of winter weather Thursday morning. This round brought widespread power outages as rain fell on the already ice-coated trees and power lines. With surface temperatures at or just above freezing, limbs could be heard breaking in the predawn hours. Early Thursday morning, over 60% of Drew County and nearly half of Bradley County were without power.
For the most part, roads were clear of ice, but overhang trees and broken limbs are blocking several roads and streets.
