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Weather expected to worsen beginning Thursday
Mar 19, 2010
By David Owens, newseditor@laurelleadercall.com
January 06, 2010 12:01 pm
Sleet and light snow flurries can be expected in Laurel and Jones County beginning Thursday morning. Weather conditions are expected to worsen on Friday as the high is not expected to top the level of freezing.
Don McKinnon, director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency, said Wednesday that ice on roads and overpasses may be a problem.
“We may see something we haven’t seen in awhile and that’s the ground starting to spew up,” he said. “On Friday, the low temperature will be around 12 to 14 degrees with wind chills in the single digits. On Saturday, the low will be 10 to 12 degrees with wind chills possibly below freezing.”
McKinnon noted that with the very cold temperatures, residents should remember “People, Pets, Pipes, Plants and Vehicles.” He said that homeowners should keep their faucets dripping and cabinet doors open to allow heat to touch the pipes.
Jimmie Bunch, Laurel Fire Chief, said those using alternative heating sources such as fireplaces and space heaters should use caution.
“You need to have a three-foot square space around space heaters and have them plugged directly into the outlet,” he said. “Don’t have more than one plugged into the outlet.”
The Salvation Army has its shelter, located at 205 N. 13th Ave., open to help keep the disadvantaged and others out of the blustery conditions.
Bonita Flynn of the Salvation Army said those needing assistance should call 601-428-4232.
“We’ve had a lot of calls,” Flynn said, noting that approximately 50 spaces are available at the shelter.
Peggy Owens-Mansfield, executive director of the Pine Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross, said her agency has the Cameron Center “on hold” in case it’s needed to house more people during the storm.
McKinnon added, “It’s won’t be anything like Hurricane Katrina, but the Red Cross and Salvation Army are ready in case people need somewhere to go.”
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, most parts of Mississippi have not experienced a low below 10 and high below 20 since December 1989. Both are possible this week.
The Jones County Emergency Operations Center will be fully operational during the winter weather event. EOC officials have asked all inquiries about shelters and other needs be sent to them by calling 601-649-3535.
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