Local emergency officials say Grenada County should prepare for what could be a historic ice event as a powerful winter storm targets north Mississippi from Friday through Sunday.
Grenada Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Whitehurst said the county is under a Level 3, or “significant,” Winter Storm Watch from noon this Friday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 25, with the earliest reasonable onset of wintry precipitation between 3 p.m. and midnight Friday, most likely around 6 to 7 p.m. He said the long-duration storm is expected to bring a mix of freezing rain and snow and that anything that falls is likely to remain on the ground through at least Tuesday because of persistent subfreezing temperatures.
Whitehurst said current guidance shows a 70 to 80 percent chance of ¼ inch of ice accumulation in Grenada County, a 50 to 60 percent chance of ½ inch and a 40 to 50 percent chance of 1 inch of ice. He noted that ¼ inch of ice meets the general criteria for an ice storm and said this system has the potential to rival some of the most disruptive ice events on record for the region.
“It’s going to be a very busy weekend for essential workers in our area,” he said.
Snow is also possible – though less certain – with Whitehurst citing a 20 to 40 percent chance of 2 inches or more on top of any ice. The National Weather Service and national forecast centers have warned that the broader storm system could be “potentially historic,” with parts of the Deep South and Mid-South facing dangerous combinations of snow, sleet and freezing rain from Friday through the weekend.
Temperatures behind the storm are expected to plunge, creating what Whitehurst called “danger cold” conditions across the area. Lows from Friday through at least early next week are forecast to range from about 15 to 25 degrees, with highs staying below 32 degrees and wind chills falling into the teens or even lower at times.
Whitehurst said the primary threats for Grenada County include significant power outages and extremely dangerous travel as ice builds on trees, power lines and roadways. National outlooks indicate that ¼ to ½ inch of ice is possible in parts of Mississippi, a range that can cause widespread downed limbs, snapped lines and impassable roads over a large area.
Because of the long-duration nature of the storm and the expected cold, Whitehurst said residents should plan now for the possibility of being without power and unable to travel safely for several days.
The local EMA recommends planning for school closures through Tuesday of next week – possibly longer – and urges non-essential employees to stay off the roads at least through Tuesday to allow utility and emergency crews to work. However, Grenada School District officials have not announced any closures as of 4:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Whitehurst encouraged families, businesses and churches to finalize preparations no later than Thursday, including arranging backup heat sources, charging devices, checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors and securing needed medications and supplies. He also urged residents to monitor trusted weather outlets and local emergency announcements for updated forecasts, watches and potential warnings as confidence in the storm track and precipitation amounts continues to increase.
The Star will continue to post weather updates and alerts as new information is made available.
