Indianola and Sunflower County officials are urging residents to prepare for a potentially high-impact winter weather event expected to move into the Mississippi Delta Friday afternoon and last through the weekend.
Mayor Ken Featherstone said forecasts indicate a long-duration icing event could begin around 3 p.m. Friday, with hazardous conditions continuing through at least Sunday and possibly into early next week.
“A major winter storm is headed across the state, and particularly the Mississippi Delta,” Featherstone said. “There are predictions of long-duration and high-impact icing.”
According to city and county officials, there is a 50% chance of at least a quarter-inch of ice north of Interstate 20 and a 50% chance of up to a half-inch of ice across the Delta region. Precipitation is expected to begin Friday afternoon and continue into the night, while temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing through Saturday, Sunday, Monday and parts of Tuesday.
Officials warned that ice accumulation could lead to major disruptions on high ways, roads and bridges, as well as possible power outages, downed trees and power lines. Residents are being asked to avoid travel Friday evening if possible.
“Road conditions are predicted to be unfavorable for travel,” Featherstone said. “We are asking residents to stay off the roads.”
Sunflower County Emergency Management Director Mitch Ramage said his office is coordinating with area municipalities and county departments to prepare for potential impacts across the county.
“We’ve started pushing information out to different municipalities so public works departments can prepare,” Ramage said. “On the county side, the road department has already started getting salt and making sure equipment like chainsaws are ready.”
Ramage said fire departments are also preparing to respond to weather-related emergencies and that officials are monitoring forecasts closely as conditions develop.
He cautioned residents to be prepared for possible interruptions to power, water systems and communication services if ice accumulates.
“Power loss, downed trees and power lines can affect water systems and cell service,” Ramage said. “People need to be prepared for that possibility.”
Ramage encouraged residents to begin preparations now by charging cell phones and portable battery packs and stocking up on emergency supplies. He recommends having at least three to five days’ worth of drinking water and nonperishable foods such as canned tuna or chicken, crackers and powdered milk.
He also suggested freezing bottles of water ahead of time to use as ice packs in coolers if power goes out.
“If you lose power, you can move refrigerated food into a cooler, and if temperatures stay below freezing, you can place the cooler outside,” Ramage said.
Homeowners are urged to protect pipes by covering outdoor faucets, wrapping exposed pipes and allowing indoor faucets to drip to prevent freezing. Residents should also bring pets indoors and check on elderly neighbors and those with disabilities.
Indianola’s Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) will be mobilized beginning Friday to conduct wellness checks, according to Featherstone.
“If you are aware of senior citizens or disabled residents you may be concerned about, please contact us,” Featherstone said.
Concerns can be reported to C.E.R.T. Team Leader A.D. Bailey at 662-207-7011 or the mayor’s office at 662-207-0864. Residents are asked to provide the individual’s name, address and phone number.
Anyone needing shelter during the storm may contact the Sunflower County Transitional Center for the Homeless at 1208 Allen Road in Indianola. The center provides beds, meals, hygiene supplies and spiritual care and can be reached at 662-569-3444.
Ramage also warned residents not to bring generators or grills inside their homes due to the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
“That can be deadly,” Ramage said.
Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring weather updates as forecasts are refined in the coming days.
