As some parts of the state saw their first overnight freeze of the fall Sunday into Monday, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is warning residents that more winter-like weather is to come – and soon.
MEMA officials said a “significant freeze” is forecasted for Monday night into Tuesday morning. It’s expected to include low temperatures below 28 degrees for several hours in much of the state, per the National Weather Service.
The impact of the freeze, set for sometime Monday night until around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, could include significant damage to unprotected vegetation.
With temperatures dropping below freezing and more cold weather blowing through in the coming months, MEMA is encouraging residents that it’s not too late to winter-proof your home. The agency provided the following tips:
- Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- Insulate walls and attics; use caulk and weather stropping around doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
- Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
- Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic, and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to avoid freezing.
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and ensure everyone in the house knows how to use them.
- Learn how to shut off water valves in case of a pipe bursting.
- Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors, or employees.
A disaster go-kit to keep inside your home and use in the case of an emergency should include non-perishable food for family members and pets, one gallon of water per family member per day, extra blankets, dry firewood, additional medications, first aid kit, phone charger, hygiene items, and flashlights with extra batteries.
Car kits should include a windshield scraper, flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, blankets, phone charger, water and snacks, and emergency flares or reflectors.
If there is a silver lining, it’s that highs statewide should climb back into the 60s and 70s on Wednesday. Mississippians can find more weather updates, forecasts, and radar data here.
