City, county hit hard by ice storm

PRESCOTT – Prescott and Nevada County were hit hard by last week’s ice storm.

Limbs and trees were downed across the county, damaging power lines and roads in all areas.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said the city got it really bad and was hit hard. He said there were limbs and trees everywhere. Oliver and the city are working with the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development Commission to find funds to help with the expenses.

Oliver said because of the storm, the city’s electric bill will be “up there” adding the expenses for the street and water and sewer departments will be increased as well. “It’ll take along time to get cleared up. It’s still so wet we can’t get our equipment in to clean up.”

Emmet Mayor Dale Booker said the Emmet community was also hit hard with limbs and trees down all over the place, along with power lines being down.

Nevada County Judge Mike Otwell echoed their comments saying the county was hit hard, with roughly two-thirds of the county being without electricity. Limbs and trees, he continued, were down all over the county and he hasn’t found a road not damaged by the storm. In fact, Otwell said he has three or four crews out now working to clear and repair county roads.

“We should be able to get some aid,” he said. “If we do, I want to get some machinery for later on so we don’t have to hire anyone to clean up.”