Nine state parks in Mississippi are closed for the time being due to the prolonged effects of Winter Storm Fern.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks said in a Friday news release that widespread power and water outages, combined with significant safety concerns involving downed trees and debris, have prompted the closure of the following locations: Wall Doxey State Park, J.P. Coleman State Park, Tishomingo State Park, Trace State Park, Tombigbee State Park, George P. Cossar State Park, Hugh White State Park, John W. Kyle State Park, and Leroy Percy State Park.
“The closures have been extended until further notice,” the department said. “MDWFP will continue to assess the situation daily and notify the public of any further cancellations or extensions.”
More than 78,000 statewide were without power as of Friday afternoon, down from last weekend’s peak of around 180,000 outages, and ice was still present in at least 21 counties. With a large sum of money from the federal government, along with an all-hands-on-deck approach to storm recovery by state agencies, officials are working to aid those in need.
Mississippi is expected to experience another cold front — one that will likely last throughout the weekend — beginning Friday night, prolonging the presence of ice. In the meantime, Mississippians in storm-affected areas are urged to stay off the roads unless necessary and away from state parks.
