Mississippi officials advised residents to prepare for more severe weather over the weekend, warning that the forecasted temperatures could worsen road conditions as the state continues responding to Winter Storm Fern.
At a Friday afternoon press conference, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves urged his residents to keep checking on neighbors and loved ones and avoid all but essential travel until conditions improve.
“I want to reiterate to Mississippians that extreme cold temperatures are expected throughout the weekend,” the governor said. “If you have to drive, please continue to use caution.”
Reeves reported two additional fatalities in Union and Alcorn counties on Friday, bringing the weather-related death toll across the state to 16. Two linemen were also injured while working to address power outages in Alcorn County.
As of Friday afternoon, roughly 79,430 Mississippians are still without power, though Reeves said he expects to see that number keep trending downward over the weekend. Mississippi Department of Public Safety units will be on call to transport those experiencing power outages to warming shelters, the governor added.
Meanwhile, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is prepared to deliver water supplies to areas with compromised water systems due to the extreme cold.
“The State of Mississippi continues to make progress responding to the storm,” Reeves said Friday. “We still have more work to be done. I can assure you, we will not stop until that work is complete.”
A full list of the 79 warming shelter locations open across the state can be found on the MEMA website. As of Friday afternoon, nearly 1,500 individuals were using the facilities, Reeves said.