EDITOR'S NOTE: Shortly after 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, the National Weather Service upgraded Grenada County from a Winter Storm Watch to an Ice Storm Warning and also added the southeast part of the county to Level 4 "extreme," impact. Now, all of Grenada County is included in Level 4 "extreme" impact.
Click the link below for updated story:
https://www.grenadastar.com/grenada-county-now-under-ice-storm-warning-winter-storm-fern-approaches-mississippi
Orginal Story posted at 4:46 p.m. below:
Winter Storm Fern is expected to coat Grenada County in a dangerous layer of ice beginning late Friday, with forecasters warning of conditions that could rival or exceed the crippling ice storms that shut down the area in 2021 and 2024, according to Grenada Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Whitehurst.
Whitehurst said Grenada County remains under a Winter Storm Watch beginning after 9 p.m. Friday and continuing through Sunday, with the earliest reasonable onset of freezing rain and sleet beginning around 9 p.m. Friday. He said current guidance from the National Weather Service points to a Level 4 “extreme” impact for northwest Grenada County and a Level 3 “significant” impact for southeast Grenada County, meaning widespread power outages, dangerous travel and prolonged disruptions are likely if forecast ice totals materialize.
“Northwest Grenada County is really in that Level 4, extreme risk zone for this storm, while the southeast part of the county is at Level 3, which is still very serious,” Whitehurst said following a Thursday afternoon briefing with the National Weather Service. “People need to understand that we are talking about the kind of ice that brings down trees and power lines, makes roads impassable and keeps utility crews and first responders working around the clock in very dangerous conditions.”
Whitehurst said that the anticipated setup is similar to – and in some ways more concerning than – the more recent 2021 and 2024 ice storms, which left much of Grenada County paralyzed for days, closed schools and businesses and knocked out power to large portions of the community. He said current guidance shows a 65 to 90 percent chance of ¼ inch of ice accumulation in Grenada County, a 40 to 75 percent chance of ½ inch and a 10 to 30 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.
“If you remember what it was like trying to get around town in 2021 and again in 2024 — the trees down, the lines on the ground, the slick bridges — that is the level of impact we are planning for, and in the northwest part of the county it could be worse if the heavier icing band sets up over us,” Whitehurst said.
Under the current forecast, a shallow layer of Arctic air will remain locked in place over north Mississippi as moisture from the Gulf moves in, creating ideal conditions for freezing rain and sleet instead of plain rain. Whitehurst said that combination is what raises concern for a “historic” ice event, especially if temperatures stay below freezing long enough for ice to accumulate on trees, power lines, roads and bridges through much of the weekend.
Whitehurst emphasized that residents across the county should prepare as though they may lose power for an extended period, particularly in the Level 4 northwest quadrant. That means having alternate heat sources that can be used safely indoors, stocking up on non-perishable food and water, making sure prescriptions are filled, charging phones and backup batteries, and checking on elderly or needy neighbors who may not be able to travel once roads ice over.
“Think back to what worked and what did not work for you and your family during the 2021 and 2024 storms,” Whitehurst said. “If you wished then that you had a backup heat source, more food in the pantry or a better plan to check on loved ones, now is the time to fix that before the first drop of freezing rain falls.”
Whitehurst said county and city officials have already begun coordinating ahead of the storm, including staging equipment, checking generators, and reviewing staffing plans for law enforcement, fire, EMS and public works, as outlined in the city’s emergency declaration approved Wednesday. The local emergency status allows departments to move more quickly to respond, close roads that become impassable and request outside assistance if damage from Fern mirrors or exceeds what was seen in 2021 and 2024.
Travel is expected to become extremely hazardous late Friday night and through the day Saturday as ice accumulates, especially on bridges, overpasses and shaded rural routes. Whitehurst urged residents to stay off the roads once icing begins unless there is an emergency and to understand that emergency vehicles and utility crews will also be slowed by the conditions, just as they were during the past major ice storms.
“Once this starts Friday night, people should plan to be where they are going to stay for at least the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said. “In 2021 and 2024, we saw how quickly a little bit of freezing rain can turn into a sheet of ice on our hilly roads and bridges, and we do not want a repeat of the wrecks and stranded motorists we dealt with then.”
Whitehurst said families and employers should anticipate school closures and disrupted business operations into early next week, depending on how quickly temperatures rise and how long it takes to restore power and clear debris.
The National Weather Service increased the possibility for dangerous cold temperatures during the storm to Level 4 “extreme.” Lows during and immediately following this event are expected to be around 10 degrees with highs remaining under 32 degrees. Wind chills will be near or less than 0 degrees. Coldest nights will be Sunday and Monday night. Below freezing temps could possibly remain into Wednesday.
Whitehurst recommended that non-essential employees remain off the roads through at least Tuesday if the worst ice scenarios verify, noting that refreezing at night could keep travel treacherous even after some daytime melting.
Whitehurst said he plans to continue regular briefings with the National Weather Service as the system approaches and confidence in the exact track and ice amounts increases. He urged residents to follow official updates from the Grenada Emergency Management Agency, the City of Grenada, local media and trusted weather outlets.
The Star will continue to post weather updates and alerts as new information is made available.
