With most of Mississippi experiencing a rare bout of dangerously cold weather Monday as conditions are expected to ramp up throughout the week, officials are urging caution and preparedness to stay safe.
The Magnolia State was hit with a biting cold front, covering the state with temperatures in the low 20s and wind chills in the teens. A system is expected to mix precipitation with the freezing temps beginning Thursday. With icy conditions comes the need to be prepared, authorities with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Mississippi Insurance Department warn.
“Let’s learn from our lessons in the past,” MEMA chief communications officer Malary White said, noting 12 deaths of Mississippians in January of 2024. “Go ahead and prepare your family now. Having that disaster supply kit is crucial – even in winter weather.”
State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney pointed to the incorrect use of space heaters, stoves, and other indoor heating equipment that involve open flames as a primary cause of injury and death during cold weather not commonly experienced in the South.
“It’s never too late to check the safety of your fire equipment and heating equipment,” Chaney said in a video posted to social media. “Also, [check your] smoke alarms. They’re loud, but they can wake you up if you’re asleep in your house.”
The Mississippi Insurance Department also recommends the following precautions to stay safe in your home and vehicles during severe winter weather.
- Keep clothes, drapes, and anything else combustible at least 3 feet away from all heating equipment, especially space heaters.
- Never leave space heaters on when you are away from home.
- Never plug space heaters into extension cords. Plug electric space heaters directly into an outlet.
- All heating equipment should be UL-approved.
- Inspect the space heater’s power cord for damage, fraying, or heat. If the cord inspection reveals any of these issues, the heater should be replaced.
- Never use space heaters while you sleep or in areas where children may be without adult supervision.
- Always unplug space heaters when they are not in use. The heater should also be equipped with a tip-over shut-off switch.
- Never use a stove or oven to heat living spaces.
- If using a gas heater, install a carbon monoxide detector.
- Leave your faucet running with a slight drip and open the cabinet doors under your sinks.
- Look at the trees around your property and cut back branches or stems that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken.
- Clearing the debris from your gutters will help prevent ice dams by allowing meltwater to drain freely.
- Evaluate the insulation and ventilation (roof or soffit vents) in your attic, keeping the warm air in your home and out of your attic.
- Perform maintenance checks on your vehicle. Check the battery, antifreeze, and wiper fluid levels. Fill up with gas, pack emergency supplies, and keep a windshield scraper on hand to remove ice.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
- Smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping area, common hallway, and on every level of the home.
- Make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out and where to meet outside.
- Once everyone is outside a burning home, call 911 and don’t go back inside the home under any circumstances.
While forecasts still lack some details such as location and specific impacts for the precipitation expected Thursday and Friday, National Weather Service officials are projecting a large swath of Mississippi is under threat of dangerous winter weather conditions later in the week.
If you haven’t been outside yet this morning, it’s COLD! Wind chills are in the teens and 20s. There are even some snow flurries❄️ in northeast MS this AM, but they will not be impactful. Cold weather is something we will continue to deal with through this week, so be prepared. pic.twitter.com/KmQ2OeY0m6
— NWS Jackson MS (@NWSJacksonMS) January 6, 2025
Stay weather-aware and up-to-date with the latest forecasts here.
