We are experiencing a treacherous weather situation this morning, Thursday, January 18, in Hot Springs Village, with low temperatures, freezing rain, black ice, and fog. (Dangerous weather conditions started with storms last week.) All of these conditions have made driving in the Village very difficult and dangerous.
“This morning is one of the most dangerous mornings we have had in the Village.”
HSVPOA Associate Director of Public Services Matt Broom
Treating and Plowing the Roads
Hot Springs Village POA road crews have been diligently working to plow the main roads and spread the road treatment product. Broom said, “So far, we have spread 448,000 pounds of sand mixed with 10,000 pounds of ice-melt salt, and these numbers continue to rise.”
Supplies of sand are running low with sand delivery trucks unable to make deliveries this morning, according to HSV Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Todd Noles.
In a previous article, “HSV Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Todd Noles said, ‘The POA does not use salt on the roads. Salt does not work when temperatures dip below 15 degrees. Instead, we use a crystal magnesium chloride mixture, in pellet form, mixed with sand.'”
Accidents Across the Village
There are reports of numerous accidents, some multi-vehicle and some drivers sliding off of the road. Broom shared, “There are accidents everywhere. DeSoto Boulevard at the intersection of Fresno Road was closed due to a three-car pileup, but we have been able to reopen this stretch.”
Broom detailed, “Our sand trucks are starting to turn sideways,”
“Yesterday, we spent a lot of time helping first responders,” explained Broom.
Stay Inside Cautions Fire Chief Miller
Hot Springs Village Fire Chief Jason Miller cautions Villagers, “Stay in the house.” Walks and driveways are slippery and you don’t want to fall. First responders already have their hands full and it could be challenging to get an ambulance to you. The Associate Public Services Director shared, “We had an ambulance stuck earlier, even equipped with studded tires. Even 4-wheel drive vehicles are having difficulty navigating the roads.”
Trash Service
“While we had planned on trash service commencing at 10:00 a.m., I don’t think we will be able to do this today. I don’t think the roads are safe enough, and we have to be able to get employees home safely before it starts freezing again.” said Broom.
Broom stated, “Trash service for this entire week is up in the air. I really don’t think we are going to get back on schedule until Monday.”
Tomorrow’s Outlook
“We will get a little melt today. We expect the temperatures to be twenty degrees tomorrow morning, reaching a high of 29 degrees later. Tomorrow is going to be another bad day [weatherwise].”
Coronado Fitness Center Delayed Opening
The Fitness Center was open at 6:00 a.m., but the people who came early couldn’t leave and had to hang around the center, due to dangerous road conditions. Since then, CFC has posted a revised schedule in an eblast.
“Due to icy road conditions. We have a DELAYED OPENING TODAY JAN.18TH. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (No classes). JAN.19th will be a delayed opening at 10 a.m. (No classes). Safety for our members and staff is very important to us. We will continue to update as needed. Stay safe!
Contact the Coronado Fitness Center at 501.922.1230 with any questions.
There is no Golf Committee meeting today. It has been postponed until Monday, January 22, 3:00 p.m. in the Ouachita Room of the Ponce Center.
Public Services management staff encourage residents to stay warm, be patient, and let Mother Nature take her course.
By Cheryl Dowden
Contact Information for HSVPOA Associate Director of Public Services
Matt Broom
Email: mbroom@hsvpoa.org
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