Weather advisories and warnings have been issued as South Arkansas braced for a round of winter storms that were expected to arrive in the area on Sunday and continue today.
Temperatures are expected to hurtle toward the 14-degree mark today, posing several safety risks, including the possibility of water pipes freezing and bursting.
Water pipes can reportedly crack and split when temperatures dip below 20 degrees.
Several reports of water pipes bursting around town came in during a cold snap washed frigid temperatures over the area in late December of 2022.
City Hall temporarily closed for repairs when a pipe burst near the car wash bay in the rear parking lot.
At the time, outdoor temperatures had reportedly fallen to 8 degrees.
On its website, www.eldoradowater.com, the El Dorado Water Utilities shares tips to help prevent water pipes from freezing and how best to thaw pipes if they freeze.
Measures that local residents can take to prevent water pipes from freezing include:
Keep garage doors closed as much as possible.
Open all interior doors to allow for better heat circulation. Also, open bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors at night.
Keep interior temperatures at a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and be consistent.
Should water pipes freeze, heat them slowly and:
Wrap an electric heating pad around pipes to get them flowing.
Heat pipes with a hair dryer.
Steadily increase heat in the house.