Approximately four inches of frozen, pebbly snow has fallen across Tate County and city and county officials are urging the community to stay home and stay warm.
Temperatures were in the mid 20-degrees Saturday afternoon with more frozen rain expected today, tonight and Sunday. A low of 11-degrees is forecast for Monday morning.
Tate County, Senatobia and Coldwater have declared a State of Emergency and, again people are asked to stay home unless there is an emergency or a work requirement.
Temperatures are not forecast to get above freezing until at least mid-week and roads will remain treacherous. In the event of an accident or emergency the community is asked to call 911.
Senatobia Municipal School District issued a statement Saturday afternoon that schools will be closed on Monday. Tate County School District has issued a similar statement saying it will also be closed Monday, January 26.
The city and county emergency declaration was issued in conjunction with a similar order issued by the State of Mississippi and Gov. Tate Reeves for all of Central and North Mississippi.
These emergency declarations allow the state, municipalities and counties to call upon and use state equipment and resources.
Senatobia does not have a shelter and residents are asked to check on the elderly, disabled and their neighbors who might need assistance.
Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association has reported outage southeast of Batesville affecting about 500 people. No major outages have been reported in Tate County.
Entergy has reported three homes without power east of Independence in Tate County.
Entergy reported storm power line repair crews are stationed in Tate County and will be dispatched across their service area as needed. Entergy has reported 55 outages in Southaven.
In the event of a tree falling onto a power line, residents are being told by both Tallahatchie Valley EPA and Entergy to not clear them, as power lines could still be energized and very dangerous.
To prepare for the expected ice and snow, the Tate County Road Department applied salt to major intersections and bridges across the county prior to the snow on Friday.
“There will still be ice on many roadways,” Tate County said in a statement. “We urge you to stay off the roads if possible, and to use the utmost caution if you do have to drive.”
Senatobia and Coldwater do not have equipment to clear roads and residents are again asked to stay off city streets unless absolutely necessary. A State of Emergency does allow police to pull over motorists and ask them why they are on the street and can ask them to return home.
Volunteers are asked to please contact Tate County EMA Director Jim Huestis at (662)292-1597 or (662)562-5012. This allows for coordination with other volunteers and with county road crews, law enforcement, and EMS.
“If you need emergency assistance, call 911,” said Huestis. “If you need to report downed trees, road obstructions or other non-life-threatening problems, call the Tate County non-emergency number at 662-560-5692 or call your district supervisor at 662-562-4647, extension 0 and select your district number.”
Strayhorn Water Association has asked residents to let water drip as freezing temperatures could cause water pipes to freeze.
If that happens on private property, they are asked to turn off the water to their house and call a plumber. If a tree falls and uproots a water main municipal and county water associations should be notified immediately as crews are on standby to address these issues.
Residents are urged to fill buckets with water for their toilet and to fill pitchers and jugs with clean drinking water.
Power companies have made tremendous strides with technology and clearing powerline right of ways since 1994 when a winter storm knocked out power to most of North Mississippi and the Delta for more than two weeks.
The community is asked by power companies and government officials to be patient, stay home and stay warm.
This story has been updated since Friday and it will be updated on The Tate Record website and Facebook page as conditions change.
