ARKANSAS, USA — On June 25, severe storms and destructive winds rolled through several parts of Central Arkansas.
There were several reports of downed trees in streets, large hail, and even vehicles that were flipped over. The storms also caused over 100,000 reported power outages across the state.
In response to the storms, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a state of emergency in Arkansas on Monday.
This was issued due to the weather-related damages that created a great need for assistance and applies to all commercial vehicles hauling heavy equipment, transformers, oversized loads, necessary hardware, and other transmission and distribution equipment to line crews for the purpose of restoring power
The declaration allows emergency response vehicles to bypass Arkansas Department of Transportation weigh stations through July 1. Though it does not include vehicles that require permits to drive on Arkansas roadways, and the size and weight restrictions do still apply. The declaration only applies to weigh stations and to vehicles traveling in convoy.
These emergency response vehicles are authorized to bypass all Arkansas Department of Transportation weigh station facilities through July 1, 2023. This authorization does not include vehicles that require permits to operate on Arkansas’ roadways. This authorization does not relieve size and weight restrictions. This declaration only applies to weigh stations and to vehicles traveling in convoys.
The Governor is authorized to declare a regional emergency during the duration of the emergency conditions but shall not exceed 30 days from the initial emergency declaration.