Dozens of Mississippi school districts will close Monday after a historic winter storm swept through the state over the weekend, covering whole counties with ice and freezing rain and leaving thousands without power.
Local outlets have reported at least two weather-related deaths in Hinds and Tishomingo counties. Two injuries were also reported in Hinds and Smith counties.
During a press conference Sunday afternoon, Gov. Tate Reeves urged Mississippians to avoid all but essential travel while temperatures stay below freezing and conditions remain unsafe.
“One of the messages that we want to be clear on today is: If you do not have to be on the roads, please stay off the roads,” Reeves said, adding that state agencies and emergency personnel will be using the roads to clear ice and debris and begin restoring power for affected areas.
On Monday, the Mississippi Department of Transportation reported continued icing on roads and bridges in 25 counties, largely in North Mississippi and along the state’s western border. Residents of those hard-hit areas should continue to limit travel to emergency situations, MDOT public information officer David Kenney told the Mississippi Free Press.
Kenney said all interstate and four-lane highways are currently open around Mississippi, though he encouraged residents to take extra precautions if they choose to drive.
“We ask people to allow enough time to reach your destination, obey the speed limit, (and) put away distractions,” he said, adding that drivers should pay particular attention when traversing bridges and overpasses.
The weekend storm caused damage in 47 counties statewide, with about 37 experiencing ice, Reeves said Sunday. The worst of the weather was concentrated in North Mississippi and the Delta region, where a deluge of sleet and freezing rain resulted in widespread power outages.
As of Monday, approximately 153,000 Mississippians were without power, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Reeves said Sunday that power outage figures are likely to fluctuate in the coming days as temperatures keep dropping.
“The weather is probably going to get worse before it gets better,” Reeves said. “So check on your friends, check on your family and check on your neighbors, so that we can keep those confirmed numbers as low as is humanly possible.”
At least 96 school districts across the state closed on Monday in response to the extreme weather, and several have already announced Tuesday closures. A full list of weather-related district closures can be found on the Mississippi Department of Education website.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump approved Reeves’ emergency declaration for Mississippi, unlocking federal disaster assistance for areas that experienced damage from the winter weather. The approval authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate needed disaster relief for all 82 Mississippi counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, according to a news release.
As the winter weather continues, Mississippians in need of refuge can access the 58 warning shelters currently open across the state, Reeves said Sunday.
A full list of warming shelter locations is available on MEMA’s website. People can also view road closures and other weather-related travel information on the Mississippi Department of Transportation website.