MANSFIELD, Ark. — The Arkansas National Guard (ANG) is set to assist a city in Sebastian County after a significant water line burst.
According to a release from the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), a water line ruptured in Mansfield, impacting 1,500 people and leaving many without water.
The release says that the Mansfield Juvenile Treatment Center is part of the impacted population.
ANG says that it is placing a "water hippo" at the Mansfield City Complex.
ADEM says that the recent freezing temperatures have caused the rupture and that cities across the state have been affected by similar incidents.
"Several days of below-freezing temperatures across the state are causing water issues for multiple cities as Arkansas begins to thaw out. Throughout the week, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management in coordination with the Governor’s office has been assisting and facilitating help in these communities," the release said.
Travis Cooper, deputy director for Sebastian County Emergency Management, said many in the area have been affected by low water levels.
"We are in line with the understanding that there's approximately 400+ homes that have been impacted or will be impacted over the weekend due to low water levels," Cooper said. "Relatively in this area of southern Sebastian County, you're probably looking at around 30,000 to 40,000 that might be directly impacted by just a low water shortage."
Cooper says that 10 to 15 households came into the Mansfield Fire Department to get water donated by the River Valley Food Bank.
Cooper adds that it's important to be prepared in these kinds of situations.
"We want to encourage you as a family, and as a household, to go ahead and make sure you have a plan within your plan when we lose power or lose water," Cooper said.
Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black says anyone who can locate the large leak in the Mansfield Municipal water system will receive a $100 dollar award.
Cities across the state are currently affected by boil orders. To read more, click here.
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