Tropical Storm Isaac Expected To Push Much Needed Rain Into Northeast Arkansas

 
Current models for Tropical Storm Isaac show the storm slowing and possibly gaining hurricane strength to a Category 1 Hurricane by Tuesday morning. According to the National Weather Service, Isaac is expected to hit along the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 Storm possibly Wednesday morning.
 
The current estimates show the storm pushing into Arkansas Thursday evening or Friday morning with 25 to 35 mph winds bringing estimated 2 to 5 inches of rain to the area.
 
At this time, there are no flood warnings predicted for our area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVER Activation for Potential Isaac Evacuees
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has activated the COVER program, due to potential evacuation of the Gulf Coast by Tropical Storm Isaac. COVER stands for Communication of Vacancies Emergency Response Plan. Created in response to the influx of travelers during Hurricane Katrina, the system is activated when an emergency forces evacuation from surrounding areas into Arkansas.

To utilize COVER, go to www.arkansas.com/cover. Vacancies are organized by their distance to each entrance point into the state. Travelers can also receive COVER updates by subscribing to the program Twitter feed @ArkCover. Updates will be noted with the hash tag #ARKCOVER.

To watch an informative video about this new website, go to http://youtu.be/GmyVGCw3BDQ

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COVER was inspired by the influx of evacuees into Arkansas following Hurricane Katrina. During that catastrophe, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 1.1 million people over the age of 16 were forced to evacuate their homes. Many of those who fled Louisiana and Mississippi came into Arkansas – and drove past available accommodations while searching out a place to stay. The result? Properties on major thoroughfares were packed while lodging operators located on secondary roads still had ample availability.

COVER was developed with these travelers in mind. In the case of a mass evacuation in any surrounding state, COVER is activated. Lodging managers are able to enter the rooms they have available into the website, and travelers can log on and find those rooms within a 160 mile radius of their location. These emergency visitors to Arkansas may also enter their email address or cell phone number and receive messages along their route with lodging updates.

 Additional information on COVER is available on http://www.arkansas.com/cover/.