I found these tips to help people in Arkansas and other southern states prepare for severe winter weather. This is the shortened version. The full list includes information about vehicle and travel, medical prep, pets and livestock prep, property protection, and what to do after the winter storm.
https://www.wncw.org/2026-01-22/winter-storm-prep-tips
1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.
Listen Fayetteville Area NOAA Weather Radio WXJ52 https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/30688
Listen Texarkana NOAA Weather Radio WXJ49 https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/35079
WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.
FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned
meat, fruit cups.
16. Have manual can opener available.
17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps
are below freezing.
20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.
THV-11 Closings and Delays | Little Rock, Arkansas https://www.thv11.com/closings
KHBS - 40/29TV News Closings & Delays | Rogers, AR NWA River Valley https://www.4029tv.com/weather/closings
KARK 4 News KARK Closings and Delays | Little Rock, Arkansas https://www.kark.com/weather/closings/
HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.
https://www.wncw.org/2026-01-22/winter-storm-prep-tips
NWS Weather Prediction Center Fri Jan 23 2026 Valid 12Z Fri Jan 23 2026 - 12Z Sun Jan 25 2026
...Heavy snow over the Central/Southern Plains and Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley...
...Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills from the Southern Plains to the Northeast...
The system will produce a significant, long-duration winter storm, with widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England, lasting from Friday through Monday. The storm develops heavy snow across a broad region from the Southern Rockies and Plains through the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast.
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php
