LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the past several weeks we have dealt with inclement weather across the state of Arkansas. In a short time span, we've seen strong winds and storms, freezing temperatures, snow, and most recently— rain.
Though we're over that hump, some people have been dealing with damage left behind by the rain. There have been countless reports of potholes all across Central Arkansas.
To try and gauge just how many people have been impacted, we did an experiment on the corner of 8th and Broadway in Little Rock where we held up a sign saying "Honk if you hit a pothole today!"
Lindsey Brannon was one of many people who has experienced the huge potholes scattered across Central Arkansas over the last several days. She has even had to take her car to the shop to assess the damage.
"Before I knew it, I hit a huge hole, I felt like I was having a wreck and I felt my airbags were going to deploy. It was major, it bent my rims and fortunately, my husband came to the rescue," Brannon described.
For many, the damage from the potholes doesn't compare to the financial damage that they are doing to people's pockets.
"It's just unfortunate because, you know, some people don't have those extra expenses, but we have to go to work," Brannon added.
D. Coleman the owner of Coleman and Son Automotive explained how this week his shop has seen so many people due to the ongoing commotion on the roads.
"We are currently seeing tire damage, rim damage, as well as A-frames, and lower control arms. The whole suspension can be just shifted when you hit that pothole," Coleman said.
He said that when approaching a pothole, drivers often underestimate how deep one can be, especially when it's filled with rain.
"The depth of that pothole can be 12 inches at times, and you don't want to run across that doing 60 miles per hour," Coleman said.
He knows first-hand what it's like to hit a pothole, so his best advice is to get your vehicle looked at before any further damage is done.
"Schedule that appointment with your local shop. Get their front end checked out because you don't want to be driving with problems that you are aware of," Coleman said.
Brannon advises people to slow down and to take the necessary precautions to ensure everyone is getting to their destinations safely.
"I feel like you can tell the people that have experienced it and the people that haven't because they're still flying. But just be patient with everybody because safety is the priority," Brannon said.
The City of Little Rock Public Works Department has already treated the roads on Broadway and plans to do the others each day.
If you come across a pothole that needs fixing, you're advised to contact their offices.