Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Arkansas, December 12, 2000

Summary of winter weather on December 12, 2000.A powerful winter storm developed over the Southern Plains and produced a mixture of snow...sleet and some freezing rain. Precipitation was mostly in the form of snow over Benton, Carroll, Washington and Madison counties, while a mixture of sleet and freezing rain occurred further south in West Central Arkansas. In far Northwest Arkansas, up to 10 inches of snow was reported by late afternoon on the 12th of December. Further south in Crawford county, freezing rain caused extensive power losses. The sheriff's office in Crawford county reported blackouts in Uniontown, Alma, Kibler, Mountainburg, Rudy and Georgia Ridge. Other counties in West Central Arkansas reported only scattered power losses. Numerous accidents were reported south of Fayetteville on ice-slickened Interstate 540, where large trucks could not make it up steep hills. Most businesses, schools and other entities were closed for the day. While damages from this storm are expected to be large, estimates were not available at the time of publication.Some snowfall totals include Bella Vista...10, Rogers...10, Bentonville...7, Siloam Springs...7, Berryville...6, Fayetteville...6, Mulberry...5, Huntsville...4, Springdale...4, Cedarville...3, Ozark...3, Clarksville...3, Van Buren...3, Fort Smith...2, Greenwood...2, Midland...1.