The Grenada City Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon to approve a proclamation declaring a local emergency ahead of Winter Storm Fern, which forecasters warn could bring significant ice accumulations and dangerously cold temperatures to North Mississippi this week.
City Manager Dr. Trina George – appearing via Zoom – presented the proclamation to the council during the 4 p.m. meeting. Dr. George said city and county officials met earlier in the day to coordinate plans and stay ahead of the storm.
“We had an emergency meeting today with the city, the county and some staff members to get ahead of this impending storm,” Dr. George said. “(Grenada Emergency Management Agency Director) Chris Whitehurst did come up as well, and he brought this proclamation, so that we can get ahead of the game.”
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The proclamation declares that “conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property” are expected within the city starting around 3 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 23. It authorizes the city to activate emergency response plans and allows for emergency procurement under Mississippi Code Section 33-15-17(b), part of the state’s Emergency Management Law. The declaration will be reviewed every 30 days until conditions improve.
Ward 6 Councilwoman Lori Chavis, who also attended the meeting via Zoom, made the motion to approve the proclamation. Ward 2 Councilman Fredreick “Pete” Wilson, participating by teleconference, seconded the motion.
Councilmen Warren B. Cox (Ward 1), Lewis Johnson (Ward 3), Michael D. Smith (Ward 4), Eric Harris (Ward 5) and Ronald J. Merriman (Ward 7) also joined the meeting by telephone. Harris, serving as Mayor Pro Tem, presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Charles Latham.
Whitehurst told The Grenada Star earlier Wednesday that residents should prepare for what could be a “historic ice event.” He warned that up to ½ an inch of ice could accumulate on power lines and trees, potentially causing widespread outages. Temperatures are expected to plunge into the teens by Saturday morning, creating hazardous travel conditions and threats to vulnerable residents.
“We’re asking everyone to be prepared – have extra food, water and a plan for heat if power goes out,” Whitehurst said. “This event has the potential to severely impact our area.”
City officials said departments are coordinating to ensure emergency services remain operational and that crews are ready to respond as the storm approaches.
The Star will continue to post weather updates and alerts as new information is made available.
