STORY:
Arkansas stocks up for New Year

Little Rock officials stock up for a storm not Y2K

In Little Rock you’ll find extra food and water supplies but its not Y2K that has officials concerned, its storms. Arkansas’s governor says the state is ready for computer Y2K problems, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stock up for other problems.

After months of assuring residents that Arkansas is Y2K compliant, the governor’s Y2K spokesperson, Mike Kemp, said the office would have extra supplies on hand. This made some residents wonder if the governor was worried about Y2K problems. Kemp said the Y2K problem just gave government offices a chance to think about stocking up in the even of an emergency. Kemp says it’s not a Y2K emergency they are worried about, but possible weather related problems.

"I think we are very well prepared, we try to take into account we’re preparing for things you don’t expect to happen, we don’t anticipate any kind of catastrophes in the state of Arkansas." Kemp told the Associated Press.

The state had a dry run for Y2K in July, when the budget computers switched over to the 2000 fiscal year. There was just one small glitch in the state employment payroll at one university. That problem was fixed within 24 hours.

Kemp also told reporters that the governor’s office might buy a generator, after New Year’s Day. Kemp says that’s when the best deals will be around after the Y2K fear is over. For right now the state officials are telling residents to prepare for an ice storm or tornado they are more likely than any Y2K emergencies.

The State’s Emergency Management Center has an underground facility in case of nuclear attack, but the state isn’t expecting to use it said Jim Harris, the governor’s spokesman. Instead, the main concern is residents overreacting if there happens to be a power outage on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.

The public utilities in Arkansas have had many tests leading up to the big day, and officials with the utility companies say they are ready. Just in case, the electric companies will open more plants on New Yea’s day than it actually will use. The companies have had several tests in the past year gauge preparedness and it doesn’t appear there will be any problems.

Source: Associated Press)

DATE: 11/15/99

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