CAMDEN — It appears that Ouachita County has weathered the winter storm system that passed through the area earlier this week.
A winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Association on Tuesday evening for southern and central parts of Arkansas.
Schools and businesses around the county closed as snow began to fall its heaviest around noon on Wednesday.
Ouachita County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Andrea Tippit said that there was a lot of “activity” over the scanners during the winter storm, but none of it involved any structural damages or injuries.
“We’re just thankful that nothing major happen,” Tippit said. “Everything went fine.”
The activity that Tippit was referring to was the numerous vehicle mishaps from around the county on Wednesday. Ouachita County Sheriff's Office Jail Administrator Nathan Greeley said that on Wednesday, there were more than 20 minor accidents involving vehicles losing control on the roads, and more than 10 of them were on Arkansas 24 near Chidester.
He added that there might have been more mishaps, but some of the drivers called a wrecker service instead of the OCSO.
Greeley confirmed that no extensive damages or injures were reported regarding the accidents that occurred during the winter storm.
The Ouachita County Highway Department sanded bridges and cleared the walkways for county offices throughout the duration of the storm.
On Thursday, Ouachita County Road Supervisor Jerry Hendrix said his office hadn’t received any reports of fallen trees or any major damage.
Hendrix said he was proud of the department for being “ready” for the storm, and joked about how ready he is for warmer weather.
“It wasn’t too bad,” said Hendrix about the storm. “We were ready, and nothing bad happened. One thing I know is I'll be ready to get this cold weather out of here so it can warm up and I can go fishing.”