A snowplow clears a road in Mississippi as a storm system brings ice, snow and frigid temperatures to the state.
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
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City of Jackson issues boil water advisory
The city of Jackson has issued a boil water advisory until further notice for roughly 43,000 customers after freezing temperatures have affected water production.
According to a news release issued Tuesday afternoon, the record cold temperatures that have gripped the region have affected equipment at the city’s water treatment plants and they can no longer maintain adequate water pressure. Some residents may experience low to no pressure when using faucets or appliances until the issue is resolved.
The city advises that all water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before use for the following:
- cooking or baking
- making ice cubes
- taking medication
- brushing teeth
- washing food
- mixing baby formula or food
- mixing juices or drinks
- feeding pets
- washing dishes
City officials said residents will be notified when the boil advisory has been lifted.
Hazardous travel conditions expected for days in Mississippi
Hazardous travel conditions have been an issue since the winter storm moved in on Sunday and according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, conditions won’t improve much for days to come.
“We are treating right now, as much as we can, all of our interstates,” Jas N. Smith, MDOT deputy director of Public Affairs. “We’re using salt and snow plows to clear the roads.”
But even with salt, snow plows and crews working 12-hour shifts, the department can’t get ahead of what it’s being dealt.
“Tomorrow night we’re expecting another wave of winter weather with subfreezing temperatures and possibly frozen precipitation,” Smith said. “We could see roads refreezing and possibly covered with ice again.
“It’s a pretty unprecedented event. We have Mother Nature working against us. We’ll be starting all over again.”
Thousands remain without power
The number of pawer outages across the state is declining, but thousands are still without. On Monday, Poweroutage.us reported about 55,000 customers were without power as of early afternoon. As of noon Tuesday, roughly 39,000 customers were without power.
The hardest-hit counties lie in a northeasterly line from Pike County to Kemper County. Counties in the northwestern part of the state have experienced significant numbers of outages as well.
Weather-related incidents mounting, MHP says
Roads and bridges across most of Mississippi are covered in ice and snow, creating a dangerous situation for motorists and leaving some roads impassible.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, state troopers have worked 695 weather-related calls between Sunday and 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Jackson airport closures extended
Due to continuing hazardous conditions, the Jackson Municipal Airport authority has extended the suspension of service at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers Airport and Hawkins Field.
Both airports are expected to reopen at 11 p.m. Wednesday, but if conditions worsen the closure may be extended.
Interstate, road closures
The Mississippi Department of Transportation is reporting Tuesday morning that all west-bound lanes of I-20 are closed in Vicksburg due to multiple disabled vehicles. Motorists are advised to find an alternate route.
All lanes of I-20 are closed in both directions from the Lake/Norris Road exit 96 to the Newton/Philadelphia Exit 109 due to hazardous conditions.
Also, travel on US 80 between Mississippi 489 and Mississippi 15 in Scott County is delayed due to multiple disabled vehicles.
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Mail delivery suspended
The U.S. Postal Service announced it is suspending delivery Tuesday in parts of Mississippi. Customers with ZIP codes 369, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 396, and 397 will not receive mail today due to dangerous road conditions.
All operations at post offices in those areas are also suspended Tuesday.
For updates on changes in operations, customers are advised to check https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/.
More winter weather on the way
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, more winter weather is on the way.
Tuesday is expected to be sunny with a high around 26 degrees in the Jackson area, but on Wednesday there is a 90% chance of precipitation with a chance of snow flurries in the morning followed by freezing rain and showers later. The high is expected to be 40 degrees followed by an overnight low of 31 degrees when rain, freezing rain and thunder is expected.
The NWS has issued a similar forecast for North Mississippi for Wednesday and Wednesday night. Areas of South Mississippi are expected to see a mix of precipitation on Wednesday followed by rain Wednesday night.
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Freeze warning, wind chill advisory
Residents across Mississippi are dealing with below 20 and some singe-digit temperatures with subzero wind chills Tuesday morning as a late winter storm continues to wreak havoc on the region.
The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a wind chill advisory for the Jackson metro area until 9 a.m. Temperatures dipped into the single digits in North Mississippi during the overnight hours and wind chill factors are anticipated to go below -5 degrees at times Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, hypothermia is likely with prolonged exposure and frostbite can affect people exposed to those temperatures within 30 minutes.
A hard freeze warning is also in effect for the region until noon Wednesday.
Hazardous driving conditions: Stay off roads
Due to continued hazardous conditions, the Mississippi Department of Transportation is asking people to stay off the roads.
Ice on roads and bridges continues to be a major problem for most of Mississippi resulting in accidents, disabled vehicles and road closures.
Downed power lines are also creating travel problems in some areas as well.
Vaccination sites closed
All Mississippi State Department of Health drive-thru vaccination sites will be closed Tuesday with the exception of the Coast Coliseum in Harrison County, the agency said Monday.
Monday’s appointments had also been canceled because of the winter weather.
The appointments have been automatically rescheduled for the same time on an alternate day.
For details, visit the Mississippi Department of Health website.
Need help? Emergency power outage number
Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley said Sunday that residents who both have a power outage and a life-threatening condition or have an emergency need for power can call or text (601) 383-3287 for assistance.
Winter weather hits Mississippi: Ice creates hazardous road conditions; dangerous temps
Cold weather shelters in Jackson
In Jackson, a cold weather shelter will remain open at Champions Gym, 1355 Hattiesburg St., for those who need a place to stay. The Opportunity Center has also opened for those in need of a place to stay. To reserve a bed at the Opportunity Center, call (601) 949-3540.
Shelters available in state
Temperatures were to fall to dangerous lows Monday night into Tuesday morning with much of the state expected to experience single-digit lows. According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency on Monday, these shelters are open or will be open for those in need of protection from the cold.
- Adams County Safe Room – 323 Liberty Rd., Natchez, MS – OPEN
- City of Indianola – 704 Main St., Indianola, MS – OPEN
- Claiborne County – County EMA Auditorium on standby if needed: 2003 MS 18, Port Gibson, MS – STANDBY
- Grenada County – Lewis Johnson Sr. Citizen Complex – 299 S Dr. MLK Jr Blvd, Grenada, MS – STANDBY
- City of Grenada Saferoom – 260 Mondy Rd, Grenada, MS – STANDBY
- Providence Baptist Church, 85 Misterton Rd, Gore Springs, MS – STANDBY
- Hancock County – 18335 MS 603, Kiln, MS – OPEN
- Hinds County – Johnnie Champion Comm. Ctr.,1355 Hattiesburg St., Jackson, MS – OPEN
- Jones County: 2415 Ellisville Blvd. Laurel, MS – OPEN
- Lafayette County – Oxford Activities Center: 400 Price Street, Oxford, MS – STANDBY
- Arrangements can be made for individuals with pets to house their pets at the City of Oxford pet shelter
- Lamar County – 105 Central Industrial Road, Purvis, MS – STANDBY (No pets allowed)
- Tallahatchie County – 181 S. Market Street, Charleston, MS – STANDBY (No pets allowed)
- Warren County – River City Rescue Mission (men), 3705 Washington St., Vicksburg – OPEN
Water main breaks
Jackson Public Works Director Charles Williams has said the city is preparing for an expected high volume of water main breaks. He encouraged the public to report any water main breaks or low water pressure by calling 311.
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