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MEMA warns Mississippi of dangerously cold temperatures, urges precautions

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post that dangerously cold temperatures are expected to persist at least through the morning of Jan. 27, 2026, and urged residents to take precautions if they must go outside.

MEMA said people should wear multiple layers and thoroughly cover their hands, feet and head. Officials also warned residents to watch for signs of hypothermia, including uncontrollable shivering; slurred speech or confusion; drowsiness or extreme fatigue; a weak pulse or slow breathing; and loss of coordination.

The agency directed anyone in need of a warm, dry place to visit its shelter page at https://www.msema.org/get-assistance/disaster-resources/shelters-and-safe-rooms. MEMA noted that shelters are controlled by counties and reported to the state agency, which helps coordinate information during emergencies.

Severe cold can increase risks for older adults, young children, and people without stable housing, and can lead to hypothermia or other cold-related illnesses. The advisory underscores the importance of local coordination of sheltering and outreach during extreme weather. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Jon Myers

Jon Ross Myers founded Mississippi News Group in 2013. Before founding the organization, he worked at The Daily Mississippian, The Marion Salute and The Southern Sentinel. A Mississippi journalist and writer based in Ripley, he received second place in poetry in the 2025 William Faulkner Literary Competition for "The Garden."