Greenville, Mississippi – Roads across the Mississippi Delta and nearby portions of Arkansas and Louisiana could become nearly impassable beginning Friday evening as a dangerous ice storm spreads across the region, bringing the threat of widespread power outages and prolonged travel disruptions through Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, an Ice Storm Warning remains in effect from Friday evening through Sunday night for much of the Delta. Ice accumulations of up to one inch are expected across Bolivar, Sunflower, Washington, Leflore, Humphreys, Issaquena, Sharkey, Grenada, Yazoo, Holmes, Carroll, Montgomery, and Webster counties, with additional sleet possible. Similar icing is expected in Ashley and Chicot counties in Arkansas and East Carroll, Morehouse, Richland, and West Carroll parishes in Louisiana.
Freezing rain is expected to intensify Friday evening, quickly coating roads, bridges, and power lines. Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly along major corridors including U.S. 61, U.S. 49, U.S. 82, and Highway 1. The weight of ice on trees and power lines may cause extensive damage, leading to power outages that could last for extended periods.
Emergency officials strongly discourage all non-essential travel and urge residents to prepare for potential outages by charging devices, securing food and medications, and avoiding downed power lines. Conditions may remain hazardous even after precipitation tapers off Sunday night. Additional advisories could be issued as the storm evolves.
