Ice storm causes power outages across Mississippi

A significant ice storm is affecting large portions of Mississippi, toppling trees and tree limbs and causing power outages, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post.

Roads are covered with ice across most of north Mississippi and parts of central Mississippi, MEMA said, and temperatures will continue to drop throughout the day. Wind chills are expected to be in the teens or below, and the agency warned that frostbite and hypothermia are likely with prolonged exposure.

MEMA urged residents to stay home, stay safe and stay warm and said warming shelters are open throughout the state. The agency posted a list of shelters and safe rooms at https://www.msema.org/get-assistance/disaster-resources/shelters-and-safe-rooms and said it is in constant contact with all 82 counties as responders work through the winter storm. The agency also asked Mississippians to check on friends, neighbors and pets.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency coordinates disaster response and recovery efforts statewide. Officials and emergency responders continue to monitor conditions; this is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.